50th Andover Lions Club Maple Festival is April 5-6
ANDOVER — The Lions Club will present the 50th Andover Maple Festival April 5-6 at Andover Central School.
A pancake breakfast with locally produced maple syrup is the centerpiece of an event that gives many local businesses and organizations a showcase. Vendors and exhibits entertain and supply festival goers with sweet and sticky maple products, arts and crafts, history, health testing and more.
The Andover Lions Club began the Maple Festival in 1973. The vision of the founders was to serve the community with an event that would give local organizations and businesses a venue to reach a wider audience.
The many maple trees lining the streets in the village of Andover made a convenient sugar bush that the Lions Club tapped to supply sap for their sugar shack, which produced syrup as well as an informative display to demonstrate the process.
Andover Lions have been serving the community since 1971. The Maple Festival, being the signature event, skipped a few years because of COVID, but has reclaimed its place as the beginning of spring for the local community. The Maple Festival serves as a showcase not just for the Lions Club, but also for many of the other organizations and businesses of the region.
The pancake breakfast, served in the school cafeteria by Andover Haunted House, begins at 7 a.m. both days.
In addition to the food and other vendors entertainment is offered in the auditorium. On Saturday, from 10 to 11 a.m., Ellie the therapy dog and her handler will demonstrate nearly a hundred tricks that this talented and charming canine performs.
At 11 a.m. to noon, there will be a Kiddie Tractor Pull where children can compete with pedal tractors for prizes. At 1 p.m. there will be a performance of Pastor Phil’s Puppet Show. A second demonstration by Ellie the therapy dog will be at 2 p.m.
BELMONT — Thirty-five years ago this week, Allegany County made history by writing its own chapter of civil disobedience engagement.
The fight to keep a low-level nuclear waste dump from being sited in the county (“Bump the Dump”) culminated on April 4, 1990, with nonviolent civil disobedience that involved state police, siting committee members, horses, farm equipment, snow, masks, hundreds of protestors, a bridge, a flag and senior citizens.
On that day hundreds of protesters —
Sunday there is a community worship service at 8:30 a.m., Kiddie Tractor Pull at 11 a.m. and Ellie, once again, from 1 to 2 p.m.
The Lions Club, chartered by Lions Clubs International, has monthly dinner meetings to foster good fellowship in service to the community. It provides financial grants to multiple organizations such as the library, Fourth of July celebration, youth sports and many others.
Andover Lions also assist community members with the loan of medical supplies such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers and similar supplies. Grants are available for vision related services such as eye exams and eyeglasses.
the largest turnout in nearly a year of defiant actions — blocked the advance of members of the New York State Low-Level Nuclear Waste Siting Commission and the state police from accessing a proposed site off East Hill Road in the town of Caneadea. The action was the same scenario that had taken place time and time again beginning in 1989, whenever the siting commission came to a town in Allegany County — Alfred, Almond, Belfast, Belmont, Wellsville, West Valley, West Almond or Caneadea.
The protesters, including business owners, farmers, college students, housewives, doctors, environmentalists, legislators, ex-military personnel and academics, linked arms and stood shoulder to shoulder, blocking roads and preventing commission members from approaching any of the proposed sites.
When one protester was arrested, another stepped in to take that person’s place.
Then-Gov. Mario Cuomo had ordered the state police to escort members of the siting commission onto poten-
tial sites. The popularly elected Allegany County Sheriff Larry Scholes walked a thin line between his duty and the safety and goodwill of his constituents during the protests. The story of the Bump the Dump protests in Allegany County will be told at the celebration at noon April 5 in the Belmont Library. The public is invited to attend the free celebration. It will include a special showing of the student made video “My Name is Allegany
Photo by Kathryn Ross
This photo was taken in Belmont in 1990 as protestors confronted members of the
Photo provided Maple trees are tapped in the village of Andover.
Bessette appointed to fill Allegany County Legislature seat
The Allegany County Board of Legislators has appointed Charles Bessette of Wirt to fill a vacancy in Legislative District III, representing
the towns of Alma, Bolivar, Genesee, Independence, Scio, Willing and Wirt.
Bessette — like all legislators in the county a Republican — was sworn into office March 26 by Allegany County Court Judge Thomas P. Brown.
Bessette is a 30-year resident of the town of Wirt and served 35 years with the U.S. Postal Service, including six years as managing postmaster for Allentown, Alma, Richburg and Little Genesse. He also served as president of the Chautauqua-Cat-
taraugus-Allegany Postmaster Association from 2011-15 and as adverse action representative for United Postmasters and Managers from 2012-23. A retired U.S. Air Force Reserve master sergeant, Bessette was commander of the Bolivar American Legion from 2015-16. He continues his commitment to volunteerism though work as president of the Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES Board of Education, with the Bolivar-Richburg Educational Foundation and as a recently appointed member of the AC-
CORD Corp. Board of Directors.
Following the legislative meeting, Bessette expressed appreciation and optimism for the appointment.
“I would like to thank the District III Republican Committee and the Board of Legislators for entrusting me in this important position,” Bessette said. “It will be an honor representing the people in District III for the remainder of the year.”
Legislature Chairman Brooke Harris noted that in addition to filling the vacancy in District
III, Bessette is campaigning to serve District III in the subsequent term, which will commence on Jan. 1. Bessette will serve on three legislature committees: Human Services, Personnel and Public Safety. The seat was vacated in February by the Board of Legislators — Harris announced then that the seat held by former legislator Adam Cyr was vacated after Cyr moved from the town of Wirt to the town of Andover. An Allegany County Supreme Court ruling affirmed
Betterment & Beautification grants available in Wellsville
WELLSVILLE — The Wellsville Development Corp. announced that 2025 Betterment & Beautification grant applications are now available.
Local clubs, service groups, residents, business owners, churches, nonprofits, community groups and others with vested interests in the Wellsville area are encouraged to apply for a
mini grant of up to $500 for beautification and placemaking projects. The deadline to apply is May 3.
“The mini grant program is an opportunity to uplift the neighborhoods we live in and revive collective work and responsibility in our community,” said WDC President Carrie Redman. “Betterment
& Beautification are loosely defined within the application, covering a wide range of projects from public art, community clean-ups, tree plantings, façade beautification and more qualify for grants. Beautification builds community pride, while partnerships and grassroots volunteerism build beautiful, healthy, active communities.”
Grant applications are available online at: https://linktr.ee/ wlsvdevelopmentcorp
Prospective applicants are encouraged
The Alger Cemetery Association will have their annual meeting at the Northern KonXions United Methodist Church in Fillmore on Wednesday, April 16th at 7:00pm.
to read through the application thoroughly to become familiar with the program requirements before submitting an application. For more information, email
that Cyr vacated his seat by moving from the district he represented. Cyr, who is running for country treasurer, said earlier this month he had strong grounds for appeal but he instead wanted to focus on his campaign for countywide office. Cyr has said Harris and other county officials wanted him out as a legislator because he is running for treasurer and he’s questioned spending and taxes.
wlsvdevelopmentcorp@ gmail.com.
Grant winners will be announced the week of May 19. A project completion report is due Dec. 1.
➡Bump the Dump
County,” the phrase protesters repeated to state police when they were asked their names while being arrested.
Copies of “Linked Arms,” a book about the protest by Alfred professor Tom Peterson, who was also one of the protestors, will be available. The cost is $35 per volume. There will also be a discussion with members of the Concerned Citizens of Allegany County (CCAC) and the Allegany County Non-violent Action Group, (ACNAG) the leaders of the movement. After the success of the county protest,
members of ACNAG took their message and tactics to communities around the nation faced with nuclear waste dumping or facility development.
The event was organized by Suzanne Flierle of the Cattaraugus-Allegany Liberation Collective. She invites any of the hundreds of protestors who participated in the Bump the Dump actions to attend the celebration and relate their memories.
The public is also encouraged to attend this event and learn about Allegany County’s history.
Charles Bessette
home improvement
Tips to renovate on a budget
Renovations around the house require an investment of time and often considerable amounts of money. Findings from the 2024 U.S. Houzz & Home Study show that home renovations are becoming more expensive. The median renovation spending for homeowners has gone up 60 percent since 2020.
Angi, a home services website, reports the average renovation cost for homes between 1,250 and 1,600 square feet is $51,772, but the final cost of home renovations depends on the scope of the project.
Homeowners who are conserving funds can rest assured that it is possible to make meaningful changes both inside and outside a home without breaking the bank. Here are some ways to renovate a home on a budget.
• Create a budget and don’t waver. Figure out exactly what you can afford for a renovation and then make that your maximum dollars spent. Research comparable projects in your area and be honest about whether you can afford the renovation as-is or if you must adapt ideas to fit your price. Make sure to build in a cushion of around 15 to 20 percent for any unforeseen expenses that may arise once a renovation is underway.
• Maximize an existing floor plan. This Old House suggests
looking for ways to maximize your current layout before you invest in major renovations like an expansion. Bring in a designer with an eye for utilizing space. For example, see how you might be able to replace shelves with pull-out drawers in the kitchen. Moving furniture around or rethinking floor plans also can help to lower costs.
• Balance DIY with hiring contractors. You can save money by tackling some projects yourself, but only if you are confident in your renovation skills. Rather than risk making costly mistakes and having to redo things, hire well-vetted professionals but ask if there’s any DIY
work you can do to cut costs.
• Check clearance and resale stores. Shop discount stores for building materials to save money. For example, if a builder ordered too many cabinets they may offer them to Habitat for Humanity ReStores, which are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers. Checking the clearance and
markdown sections of other stores may yield considerable savings on items needed for a renovation. Warehouse retailers like Costco or Sam’s Club also can be great places to find certain home improvement materials and furnishings.
• Take advantage of free services. Certain stores may offer things like free consultations with
designers who can show you what a renovation can look like. This is advantageous to the stores because once you see the potential you’re more likely to buy the products, even if it’s not mandatory.
• Resurface instead of redo. Certain items can be made to look new with minimal effort. Paint is a relatively inexpensive tool that can trans-
form walls and more.
A good hardwood flooring company can buff out a floor and put a new coating instead of an entirely new floor. Kitchen cabinets can be resurfaced instead of replaced as well. Finding ways to perform home renovations on a budget may require some creative thinking, but it’s possible to get results at the right price point.
• Consider and pursue additional recreational options at Island Park and additional small craft access if needed.
• Determine feasibility and suitability analysis for an outdoor concert structure in Island Park.
• Improve pedestrian access to Lagoon Field (site of athletic fields and home of the Great Wellsville Balloon Rally) and the river.
• Coordinate with the New York State Department of Transportation to provide better access to Island Park and Lagoon Field and the other side of the river from Route 417.
Study the feasibility of installing an ADA-accessible fishing platform at Island Park.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the cofferdams in the river to determine their effectiveness in flood control.
• Determine a suitable location for a kayak launch on the east side
•
ALFRED — Alfred Primary Care, part of Jones Memorial Hospital, announced that nurse practitioner Sydney Demick has joined the practice and is accepting patients. Demick has ex-
perience working in emergency medicine, long-term care/rehab and cardiac care and has been a part of UR Medicine since 2020. She earned her Master of Science as a Family Nurse Practitioner from D’Youville University.
As a native of Arkport, Demick is committed to rural healthcare and to providing quality care to the local population.
“We are excited to welcome Sydney to the Alfred office,” said Julie Seaman, director of medical practices at JMH. “I’m confident that she will bring a fresh, new perspective and dedication to her patients that we are proud to share.”
Demick said, “I’m thrilled to be working with the Alfred
Jones Memorial-Alfred Primary Care welcomes nurse practitioner
community and I’m excited to build lasting relationships with my patients. I look forward to serving this community.”
At Alfred Primary Care, the team offers comprehensive, patient-centered care, focusing on preventative health, chronic disease management and overall well-being. For more information or to make an appointment, call the office at (607) 247-1059 or visit jones.urmc. edu/appointments.
Langworthy seeks submissions for 2025 Congressional Art Competition
The office of U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-23rd District, is accepting submissions for the 2025 Congressional Art Competition on behalf of New York’s 23rd Congressional District.
All high school students living in in the district, which includes Cattaraugus and Allegany counties, are eligible to submit artwork. The winning artwork of our district’s competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol.
The deadline for submission is April 23.
“This competition provides a unique opportunity for young artists to have their talent recognized on the national stage,” the congressman said. “I encourage all eligible students to participate and share their art with our community and the nation.” For submission guidelines and more information, visit Langworthy’s website. For more information, reach out to Sharon Murphy at Sharon.Murphy@ mail.house.gov, or (607) 377-3130.
CONGRESSMAN INTRODUCES SAFER SKIES ACT
Langworthy has introduced the Safer Skies Act, aimed at closing security loopholes in airport security. The bill, co-led by Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich., and Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, seeks to enhance safety standards for certain air operators that currently operate without the rigorous screening requirements of commercial airlines.
“Due to the reforms
following the September 11th attacks, Americans have come to expect a high level of safety and security when they board a plane on American soil,” Langworthy, chairman of the Aviation Safety Caucus in the House, said. “The Safer Skies Act will close a loophole that has allowed certain operators, like ticketed charter flights, to bypass the rigorous screening requirements that ensure the safety of all passengers. It is vital for
protecting our skies and the lives of passengers and crew alike.”
The Safer Skies Act would require the TSA to update its security screening requirements for Part 135 and Part 380 operators that offer individual seats in advance, provide publicly available schedules, and operate passenger seat configurations of more than nine seats. It would also ensure that operators are held to the same security standards as any other scheduled commercial airline.
Wellsville Country Club to host Banter, Business and
Beverages
WELLSVILLE
— The Wellsville Development Corp. will host its annual Banter, Business and Beverages mixer 5 to 7 p.m. April 10 at The Wellsville Country Club, 3006 Riverside Drive.
for 2025. This event is meant to be an opportunity for local business owners, employees, and community members alike to gather together, network, meet new faces, and visit with old friends.”
Find out who the WDC is and meet the team while enjoying appetizers and beverages. The event is free and open to all local community members, WDC supporters, businesses, organizations and their employees.
“We invite all area businesses, organizations and agencies to join us at BBB,” Carrie Redman, WDC president, said. “We will share information on the WDC’s achievements in 2024 and plans
RSVPs are not required to attend but are helpful for planning purposes. Those who RSVP by April 3 will be given a free drink coupon upon arrival. RSVP online at: linktr.ee/wlsvdevelopmentcorp. WDC is a community-based not-for-profit corporation that focuses on revitalization, economic development and beautification planning projects. For more information, visit www. facebook.com/wlsvdevelopmentcorp.
APPROX. 200 PCS. FARM MACHINERY: 2 rebuilt Mc. D. #9 trailer gear mowers, 2 rebuilt Mc. D. #9 reg. gear mowers, new 12’ kicker tedder, Pequea 710 tedder, NH 55 & 256 roll-a-bar rakes, new All Crop hay loader, new EZ Trail plateless corn planter, new corn binder loader, NH. 351 grinder mixer, Mc. D. corn binder, Mc. D. grain binder.
SPRAYERS – SPREADERS: 110 bu. Pequea manure spreader, Pequea 85 bu. 4-wheel manure spreader in good cond., NI. # 10 spreader, rebuilt NI. #8 & #10 manure spreaders, like new Pequea 25 bu. spreader, new Manure Hog spreader, new EZ. Trail field sprayer.
WAGONS- GEARS- FORE CARTS: new wagon running gears, new fore carts, Pioneer 1-horse wagon, 1-horse wagon, torsion axle fore cart, 2 forecarts, Pioneer fore cart, logging cart.
TILLING EQUIPMENT: new White Horse 712 & 115 plows, used White Horse LH 712 plow, Pioneer foot lift plow, Mc. D. 2-way plow, Pioneer 8’ spring tooth harrow, JD. 7’ disk, 8’ soil conditioner, Miller cultimulcher, new disks, new 3’ to 8’ cultimulchers, NOTE: More loads of machinery coming from Peachy’s & Chapman Hollow & BZ Machinery & more from locals.
SHOEING STOCKS- SHED- GATES – TACK –MISC: new shoeing stocks, 10 x 16 shed,wheel saw w/ 9 HP. Subaru engine,like new 36” brake, 2 buzz saw blades,compressors, rebuilt 905 Kubota diesel, Do-All Diamond sharpener, Lebland metal lathe, Summit 3- XHD drill press, shopbuilt resaw/ 14’ table, new harnesses, new halters, load of tack like usual, snow fence, farrowing crates.
APPLIANCES – FURNITURE- QUILTS: 2 magic chef propane 6-burner stoves, griddles, rebuilt Maytag wringer washers, wash tubs, display shelves, bakery racks & trays, tables, new oak queen bed, new oak full size bed, new 2 oak dresssers, new slant top desk, chairs, benches, lawn roller, new EZ Clipper mowers, new Honda motors, QUILTS- red & blue Lone Star top, Lavender Lone Star top, 9 patch quilt, Blue Diamond Trip Around the World quilt, Teal Log Cabin quilt top, Rocky Mountain Deer quilt top, Broken Star wall hanger, crib top, 100 + box lots of books.
WATCHES – CAST IRON – COLLECTIBLES: 21 J. Elgin Father Time, 21 J. Hamilton 994,Waltham 21 J., (2)Elgin 17 J., Saco 21 J., Swiss 7 J., 20 gal. crock, 15- 20 cane back rockers, 50 – 60 pcs. 1 mans collection of cast iron pots & pans consisting of Wagner & Birmingham & Lodge skillets # 3 to # 10, cast iron salesman sample stoves, 15- 20 mini anvils.
SPORTING GOODS: 2 used Hoyt compound bows, PSC. Bow, Athens bow, 2 new PSC., 11 crossbows – 1 Barnett & 1 Mission, 1 new Rocky Mountain. NOTE: This is a very brief listing! We will be selling 4 to 5 rings most of the day! Taking consignments on Mon. Through Fri. 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. week of sale. No smalls or local consignments accepted on the morning of sale. Outside machinery consignments accepted morning of sale if in before 8:00 AM.
TERMS: Cash or check w/ ID. LUNCH STAND: To benefit local Amish School. Chicken BBQ by Cuba Firemans Park.
