Allegany County Community Source 05-12-2023

Alfred State archery team earns four medals at East Region

Cuba Library receives Community Arts Grant

Wellsville Chamber shines light on locals at annual awards dinner

BY KATHRYN ROSS

WELLSVILLE —

There were no coronets or blankets of roses, but that didn’t stop the Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce from celebrating.

The Chamber hosted its 2023 annual awards dinner on Saturday to honor local businesses and individuals for their dedication and support of Wellsville at the Wellsville Country Club.

Scores were in attendance on a night that paused for the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby and on a day that began with the coronation of King Charles III.

Chamber Executive Officer Bruce Thomas was emcee for the evening and gave a brief description of the last year in Wellsville declaring, “It’s a wonderful time in Wellsville” and noting the resurgence of business with the opening of Runnings and KATS and the promise of Quicklees, Tim Hortons and Taco Bell and several smaller businesses on the horizon.

“We have a great year ahead of us,” he said.

Topping out the night’s honors was ARVOS-Ljungstrom celebrating its 100th year in Wellsville. Matt Ferris CEO of the Wellsville division stepped

forward to accept the award after Thomas said, “I have never seen the renovation of such a business after such a difficult time.”

Ferris, a 27-year Ljungstrom employee and CEO for the last eight years said. “We were a lot hurtin’ during Covid, but then we decided to get into the offshore wind business.”

He went on to say

Ljungstrom has already hired 130 new employees and expects to hire 100 more by March 2024. He thanked BOCES, the local high school and Alfred State College for helping to supply those new workers and lauded the dedication of the young employees.

“We have a two-year workbook ahead of us and that is unheard of in this business,” he said.

“It is great for Wellsville, but how does a business last for 100 years? Mike (Raptis of the Texas Hot another centennial business) knows. It is the people.”

Prior to the Ljundstrom award the New Business of the Year, Community Service Award and the Spirit of Wellsville awards were celebrated.

Sisters, Jackie and Ann Dwyer Comstock received the Spirit of Wellsville award. MK Kellogg presented the award admitting that

the dynamic duo had been her heroes growing up referring to the women’s prowess and skill on the floor of the skating rink owned by their family.

For the last 20 years, she said the sisters have been dedicated to preserving the history of Wellsville by organizing the Sesquicentennial in 2007, creating a walking tour and historical calendars as part of their work with the Thelma Rogers Genealogical and Historical Society where they now serve as officers. The Comstocks are also on the boards of the Jones Memorial Hospital and the David A. Howe Library.

Upon accepting the award Jackie said, “We get involved with

something and we just keep going until we get it done.”

President of the Chamber, Bessie Davidson of Community Bank, announced the

Community Service Award. “This award could not have gone to a better person. If there is one face that you see at every Chamber sponsored event in Wellsville

it is Carrie Redman’s.” Redman is the president of the Wellsville Development Corporation. Redman

Hall’s Andover/Whitesville legacy much more than scoring records

BY SAM WILSON

Her impact will be recorded in county, section and school record books for years to come, mostly for her ability to put the ball in the basket.

But ask Vanessa Hall her favorite play to make on the court, she doesn’t first think of a pull-up 3-pointer or

dashing layup.

“More than scoring points, my favorite thing is a great assist,” the Whitesville senior said. “I love watching the tape and being like ‘man, I did that.’ I love assists.”

Hall, however, stands alone among girls basketball scoring talents in the area. Her senior year marked

her third consecutive Big 30 scoring title and second Big 30 first-team selection (and third Big 30 all-star honor). She became the first girl in Allegany County to score 2,000 points and is now third all-time in Section 5 history with 2,492 points.

But to her team at Andover/Whitesville, Hall’s performance

went far beyond the numbers that appear next to her name in a box score.

“You look at a box score and you read an article, you’re going to see Vanessa Hall had ‘X’ amount of points and she was always the leading scorer because she just had that knack Vanessa Hall continued on PAGE 4

Photo by Kathryn Ross

Receiving awards from the Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce are (from left) Carrie Redman, Ann and Jackie Comstock and Matt Ferris for ARVOS-Ljungstrom and Katie Wallace.

Alfred State archery team earns four medals at East Region

ALFRED — The Alfred State College archery team claimed four medals at the 2023 USA Archery East Region Outdoor Championships held at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.

In team competi-

tion, the Alfred State men’s compound team of Matt Stungis, Matt Szczepanski and Travis Cooney shot their way to a gold medal. The mixed team of Ben Kingsley and Brianna Fagan took silver in the fixed pins division.

In individual elimination matches, Fagan earned a silver medal in the women’s fixed pin competition while Kingsley earned a bronze medal in the men’s fixed pin competition.

Head Coach Greg Sammons praised the

team, adding, “The archers had to deal with adverse weather conditions on the first day of qualification with wind and a lightning delay.

The archers adjusted their approach to mitigate the conditions and competed at a very high level.”

The Alfred State Archery Team faced competition from James Madison University, Liberty University, Pennsylvania College of

Technology, the University of Pittsburgh and more.

The team has wrapped up the spring season and will be back in action this fall.

Photo provided

Top performers at the East Region Championships. (L to R:) Brianna Fagan, Travis Cooney, Matt Stungis, Matt Szczepanski, and Ben Kingsley.

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to be able to put the ball in the basket, but she’s much more than just a scorer,” A/W co-head coach Aaron Rawady said. “When you look at the points that she did score, what isn’t always included is her shooting percentage. It’s not like she was putting in 20-30 points and shooting 30% from the field; she was shooting around 50% from the field. But also … she came close to averaging double digits in rebounds the last few seasons, she’s led the team in assists and steals and blocks ... really every statistical category, she’s led the team in for the last few years.

“And she also does the things that don’t show up on the stat sheet. She makes a lot of hustle plays that you’re not going to see in box scores and a lot of other things like that that make her so valuable.”

A/W WON back-to-back titles in Section 5 Class D2 in 2022 and 2023, Hall’s junior and senior seasons as she won sectional MVPs both years.

“I feel very blessed that we’ve been able to win two sectional championships in a row,” Hall said of wrapping up her senior season. “Obviously, I’m a big part of it but nothing happens

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without my team and I hope that they realize that. I’m very grateful for the opportunity, especially this season. I think I enjoyed last season better but this season was good.”

Her junior year felt a little better since it was the team’s first run to the sectional title.

“It was the first time we won sectionals, it was the first time anybody really took us seriously,” she said. “Last year the team, the season, everything just had a whole different energy to it.

“I feel like this season comes with a lot more ... I got a lot more attention just because I’m a senior so

everybody knew it’s the last time they’d get to see me.”

Hall said her favorite memory remains the sectional semifinal in her junior season, when A/W knocked off Elba, the same program that had been a standard for Section 5 schools to judge themselves against.

“When I was in seventh grade we lost to Elba in Elba by like 60 and in eighth grade we lost to them in the finals,” she said. “So to get a chance to beat them after their fiveyear win streak was amazing.”

HALL WILL continue her hoops career at Utica University.

She first picked up basketball as a firstgrader and it soon became her favorite sport.

“Ever since then it’s always been basketball. I’ve been on AAU teams, I always play. I always play yearround,” she said.

Why hoops over the rest of sports available to young girls?

“Because my dad loves basketball,” Hall said. “I grew up watching it all the time. (Watching) college men’s basketball was my favorite thing to do when I was younger. That’s where I learned a lot of things. That’s where it translated over.”

She also averaged 9.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 3.2 steals and 2.5 blocks as a senior.

“When I first started I was mostly a shooter,” Hall said. “I stood outside the 3-point line and I just shot. So after the seniors graduated, when I was in eighth grade, I realized that I would need to do something else, elevate my game. Me and Coach really worked to put a post game in, and once I put the post game in and I could work inside-outside, that completely changed my game.”

Rawady coached Hall, briefly, on junior varsity as a seventhgrader. She never played a game of modified basketball and by the last nine games of her seventh-grade season she’d already made the jump to varsity. She was a mainstay on varsity the next five years: from 13.0 points per game in 2018-19 to 21.7, to 31.9, 28.7 in 21-22 and 27.1 this year. Her career high of 48 as a junior set another school record.

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File photo

Andover/Whitesville star Vanessa Hall (second from left) is honored in a post-game ceremony after scoring her 2,000th point in a win over Bolivar-Richburg on Jan. 5.

Vanessa Hall continued on PAGE 5

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40 & 8 in Allegany County establishes scholarship

BELMONT — A new scholarship will help aspiring nurses, thanks to efforts from a local veterans group.

The Allegany County Chapter Voiture 1006 of the national 40 & 8 veterans honor society has established an endowed scholarship

fund with the Allegany County Area Foundation. The Forty and Eight is an independent honor society of American veterans and service members.

One $500 scholarship will be awarded annually to a student preparing for a nursing

➡Awards Dinner continued from PAGE 1

came to Wellsville as a communications and public relations officer for Northern Lights and moved to the ARC in 2007 where she is now Associate Director of Marketing and Community Relations of the

ARC of Allegany and Steuben counties.

Accepting the award, Rebman quoted Edward Everette Hale – “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do

career, with priority to students already excelling in a college nursing program. As the Forty and Eight Fund endowment grows, additional scholarships will be offered. Students will be selected for the scholarship through the regular ACAF scholar-

ship process. The first award was offered this spring for the 2023-2024 academic year. For more information, contact ACAF Executive Director Bruce Campbell at 585296-5616 or director@ acafny.org.

automotive

Did you know?

Vehicle maintenance is often viewed through the lens of keeping cars safe and running smoothly. That impression is accurate, but in addition to potentially saving lives, vehicle maintenance can save drivers money. The summer of 2022 was marked by rapid infla-

tion that affected prices of just about everything, including fuel, which rose to such heights that many drivers sought any way to save money at the pump. Vehicle maintenance is one simple way to reduce fuel costs, sometimes by a significant margin. In fact, the U.S. Department of

everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”

“Here’s to the ‘one’ in all of us,” she said.

The New Business Award went to Katie Wallace who opened The Shop On Main in 2021 and who has transfigured her original clothing store into a unique hybrid which offers coffee and baked goods ambience while providing the latest fashion trends for women.

Wallace started her business online but with its success quickly moved it to the Main Street location, opening

She won Allegany County league MVP four times.

“SHE GREW in every phase of the game,” Rawady said. “Early on we could tell that

the door in November, 2021. Seeing room to expand the boutique experience she asked her father to build a coffee bar and her sister, Chelsea Burdick owner of Chelsea’s Catering and Confections, to supply baked goods.

After accepting the award Wallace said, “We don’t know how to stop working. We have no idea what we are doing, but we are doing it.”

After the awards ceremony concluded the 40 to 50 attending enjoyed the music of Adam Stack before calling it a night.

she had a knack for scoring. She was a really good shooter and her shooting developed throughout the years too, to the point where she was able to knock down shots from anywhere on the floor. Around her maybe 10th grade year or so, she started to extend her range four, five, maybe six feet past the 3-point line and was able to continue that through her senior year. Her defense improved as the years went on. She became one of the best passers I’ve seen in this area in a while. Her leadership too. She was brought up as a seventh-grader and now she’s playing every

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Energy estimates that fixing a faulty oxygen sensor could improve gas mileage by as much as 40 percent. Smaller measures also can save drivers money at the pump, as the U.S. DOE estimates that keeping

tires properly inflated can increase fuel efficiency by as much as 3 percent while using the motor oil recommended in a vehicle owner’s manual can improve gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent.

day with seniors who have been a part of the program for four or five years and that can be a pretty challenging and daunting task for a kid that’s that age, but as the years went on she really developed this

leadership role to the point where even when she wasn’t a senior she had upperclassmen kind of looking to her on a daily basis in practice and in games.”

And through it all, Rawady said, the “extremely humble” Hall, a straight-A student, always came to practice with a positive attitude.

“Every day she was one of the hardest working players on the floor,” he said, “so being able to coach a player like that, I’ve been really fortunate to be able to be in that position.

➡Vanessa Hall continued from PAGE 4

home improvement

Six

(BPT) — The YORK® brand of Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, has compiled six proven tips to help homeowners reduce cooling bills this spring and summer as energy costs nationwide

remain above pre-pandemic rates.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that home cooling accounts for 12% of the average household’s monthly electric bills. As many homeowners experience higher-than-aver-

age utility costs, simple HVAC upgrades and routine maintenance can help reduce cooling expenditures by improving system efficiency. Before setting the thermostat to cool, homeowners should try these cost-saving tips:

• Replace filters and clean vents: HVAC filters help keep dust and debris from being recirculated throughout a home. However, when these filters become too

cooling bills this summer

full, they can limit airflow and cause the blower to work harder. Maintaining a filter replacement routine can help improve efficiency and extend the life of the HVAC system. For most systems, the recommendation is to replace the filter every one to three months, but homeowners should follow the frequency indicated by the HVAC

system manufacturer. Routinely cleaning the grates of the air vents will also help to maintain efficient airflow.

• Schedule preventative maintenance: The Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) estimates that routine HVAC maintenance can reduce annual heating and cooling bills by as much as 30%. Routine maintenance involves cleaning and inspecting the evaporator coil, examining the drain pan and condensation line, evaluating blowers and fans, testing system controls and checking refrigerant levels.

Establishing a routine of scheduled service prior to the hottest and coldest times of the year - when HVAC systems are used mostwill ensure equipment is in peak working condition and can even help to reduce costly

repairs over time.

• Cover windows: The Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that as much as 76% of the sunlight that hits a standard, double-pane window will transfer as heat into the home. Window coverings of nearly any nature will help to reduce solar heat gains, especially when installed in south-facing rooms or homes with little to no exterior shade. But for the greatest energy reduction, homeowners should opt for insulated cellular shades certified by the Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC). These specially designed shades incorporate an interior layer of insulation and can reduce solar heat that enters through the windows by as much as 60%. Inspect and seal ductwork: EnergyStar

continued on NEXT PAGE

estimates that as much as 20% of HVAC efficiency is lost to poorly connected or damaged ductwork. An HVAC technician can inspect the ductwork throughout a home and evaluate the system’s air supply and return balance. Airflow imbalances could be a sign of damage, loose seals or even that the ductwork isn’t sized correctly. Ductwork located within basements, attics or crawl spaces can also be a point of efficiency loss if the ductwork isn’t properly insulated.

• Update the thermostat: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that the average homeowner could reduce their annual heating and cooling bills by as much as 10% by using a programmable thermostat to reduce HVAC demands overnight or while away from the home. Some smart thermostats incorporate geofencing features to further reduce energy use by detecting homeowners’ proximity to the house and adjusting the temperature based on home and away settings. Some thermostats can even alert homeowners to potential system issues and provide the option to grant their HVAC contractor with remote service access.

• Utilize Inflation Reduction Act savings: With higherefficiency HVAC equipment from YORK, homeowners can reduce their heating and cooling costs by as much as 50% compared to low-efficiency systems, helping homeowners see a reduction in their energy bills while lowering their environmental impact. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has made the transition to highefficiency systems, including heat pumps, even more affordable by offering tax rebates up to $2,000 dependent on household income. IRA incentives can also be combined with local and manufacturers rebates to further increase cost-savings. Since heat pumps are powered by electricity and operate by transferring heat rather than producing it, heat pumps can reduce site energy use by as much as twothirds when compared to a conventional, fuel-powered heating systems. For more information on rebates, visit YORK. com.

Cuba Library receives Community Arts Grant

CUBA — The Cuba Circulating Library announced a year-long arts program with a focus on Native American arts thanks to a state grant.

The Library is one of 10 recipients in Allegany County receiving funds from the Statewide Community Regrants program, a regrant program of the New York State Council for the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Arts Council for Wyoming County.

The library received $4,000 from this grant, which will enable them to bring five Haudenosaunee artists to the Cuba Library to teach a variety of classes. Friends of the Cuba Library, Inc. is also supplementing the program with an additional $2,100.

The library has already begun offering beading classes with artist Samantha Jacobs. Samantha will offer one more beading class this year on strawberry pin cushions on June 14-15.

Other Haudenosaunee art classes at the Cuba Library this year include weaving and painting with Penelope Minter, leatherwork with Clifford Redeye, antler carving by Hayden Hayes and storytelling by Perry Ground.

The Community Arts grant will also fund a variety of other classes through this year such as a sound bath with Celine Daily, Brain Dance with Benjamin Berry, dry point etching with Rick Minard and watercolor painting with Theresa Heinz.

“We are so excited to bring these talented artists to the library to

Histed promoted to lieutenant of Alfred State University Police

ALFRED — The University Police Department at Alfred State is excited to announce the promotion of Officer Joseph Histed to the rank of lieutenant.

Having grown up in Allegany County, Lieutenant Histed started his college career at Alfred State, transferring on to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from SUNY Brockport.

Shooter and more.

“Joe Histed is a fine example of the officers we have at the university police department and has truly earned this promotion,” UPD Chief Jeff Wilcox said.

share their talents with our community,” said Tina Dalton, library director. “We plan to offer these class either free or at most for $5 per person. It is important to us that we make the classes as accessible as possible, and thanks to this grant and the help of our Friends of the Library, we are able to do so.”

As the classes approach, information about them will be found on the library’s website, Facebook page and monthly newsletter. Sign up to receive the library’s monthly newsletter at www. cubalibrary.org.

home improvement

After college, Histed began his law enforcement career as a deputy sheriff with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office assigned to the road patrol. Returning home to Allegany County, Histed was hired in 2017 by the University Police at

Alfred State College.

Lieutenant Histed has continued growing and earned several subsequent New York State-regulated certifications including Patrol Rifle Operator, Responding to an Emotionally Disturbed Person, Police Field Training Officer, Law Enforcement Bicycle Patrol, Interview and Interrogation, Active

“I am grateful to continue serving the college community in this new capacity,” Officer Histed added. “I am humbled to have been selected for this position and I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the University Police Department as well as the overall success of Alfred State College.” Histed assumed his new supervisory command staff duties effective April 18.

health & Wellness

5 fruits and vegetables associated with reducing cancer risk

The prevalence of cancer is widely known. Affecting people of every ethnicity and across the socioeconomic spectrum, cancer poses a threat to people in all corners of the globe. And that threat could be more significant in the immediate future. Estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer indicate that the global population boom and the growth of the world’s aging population could result in more than 16 million cancer deaths each year by 2040.

The statistics surrounding global incidence rates for cancer are startling, which can give the impression that cancer is an inevitability for hundreds of millions of people across the globe. However, there’s much individuals can do to reduce their cancer risk.

According to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, a healthy diet can help reduce cancer risk. A diet that focuses on plants and emphasizes healthy choices may not eliminate the threat of cancer, but it can be an integral component of a preventive health care regimen. With that in mind, the following are five fruits and vegetables associated with reducing cancer risk, courtesy of the MDACC.

1. Berries: Berries contain antioxidants, which protect the body from cell damage that can contribute to various cancers, including skin cancer, lung

cancer and breast cancer, among others. Blueberries, raspberries and strawberries make wonderful additions to anyone’s diet.

2. Cruciferous vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, bok choy, cabbage, and brussel sprouts, among others. The MDACC notes that studies have indicated that special plant compounds in cruciferous vegetables may protect the body from stomach cancer and cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus.

3. Garlic: The experts at Mount Sinai note that garlic is often linked with reduced risk for heart disease, notably the prevention of atherosclerosis, which affects the arteries through the deposition of plaques of fatty acids along the arterial

walls. However, antioxidant-rich garlic also helps the body fight off harmful free radicals that can contribute to cancer.

4. Spinach: The Centers or Disease Control and Prevention notes that colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the United States. Studies have found that spinach inhibits the growth of colon polyps that can develop into colorectal cancer.

5. Tomatoes: Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives tomatoes their bright red color. According to the National Cancer Institute, though human studies have produced inconsistent results, various in vitro and animal studies have indicated that lycopene may have chemopreventive effects for cancers of the prostate, skin, breast, lung, and liver.

Joseph Histed