Allen Outlook. Illustration by Kevin Rechin

Transcription

1 Small Allegany County Community Newsletter Allen Outlook WINTER 2016 Illustration by Kevin Rechin We feed the birds, and because we feed the birds, we inevitably feed the squirrels. That really bugs some folks, and a friend recently sent me a video of a squirrel-proof feeder in action. A squirrel climbs up for a hearty lunch, but instead of breakfast it gets flung through the air with the greatest unease. Watching it took me back to an equally uneasy boyhood adventure. I grew up on a farm that was part marsh, part woods and part prairie all of it flat. Despite a lack of decent sledding hills, I owned a snow saucer. It was one of those round metal jobs that s impossible to steer. One winter, inspired after watching the Olympic bobsledders on TV, my friends and I hatched a plan. We d tie the saucer to the bumper of an old pickup truck and pull it down the snow-packed gravel road. It d be exactly like the Olympics, but better. We used a long rope to give the rider time to veer if the truck made a sudden stop. I got excited as we worked out the details. If only we could find someone dumb enough to volunteer. When I mentioned this aloud, everyone stared at me. I didn t recall getting chump tattooed on my forehead, but before I knew it, I was sitting in that saucer like Forrest Gump. The pickup started slowly, but soon the saucer was bouncing along like a crazed kangaroo. Hanging on to the saucer probably would ve been a challenge for most folks, but I regularly rode a horse that hated me. Compared to that, this was almost fun. When the pickup slowed for the first turn, I managed to navigate it with little bloodshed and a survivor s smile spread across my face. Unfortunately, the truck cut the next turn a little too short. I tried staying on the road, but the saucer flew straight for a signpost. I was frantically groping for a nonexistent steering wheel when, through sheer dumb luck, the saucer sailed wide. I breathed a deep sigh of relief just about the time the rope hit the post. If you ve ever watched a tetherball whirling around a pole, you can imagine how I felt except the ball doesn t go flying into a snowbank when it hits the end of its rope. My friends laughed as if they d just seen the funniest thing ever. I picked myself up and limped stoically back to the truck. Coach Smith had taught us to walk it off, even if we were carrying a severed limb. But I clearly remember that I didn t like being flung one little bit. And that s why you ll never find a squirrel-flinging bird feeder at our house. Even though it was a long time ago, I can still imagine how the poor squirrel in that video must ve felt. And I wonder if his buddies laughed at him, too. By: Al Batt

2 Page 2 ALLEN OUTLOOK Welcoming Comments and Stories Do you have news of births, engagements, weddings, etc; please share with us! We are a small community and it is nice to build a close relationship with our neighbors. It is nice to share in the celebrations of joyous events or when life is difficult; letting your neighbors know you have suffered an illness or a loss. The extra prayers always help :) If you have historical or interesting stories that you would enjoy sharing with your neighbors please contact me. I am also interested in old photos. You may send them to me digitally, mail them, or allow me to scan them. For Spotlight stories, and Letters to the Editor please include your name, address, and phone number. Anonymous submissions will not be honored. Subscriptions to Allen Outlook and all local advertising services are free. I look forward to creating ongoing publications for years to come (on a monthly basis). I need your assistance to share news and ideas to keep Allen Outlook crisp and inviting. Please contact me to share ideas for future publications. Spotlight Resident - If you would like to write about the life of your loved one that has passed and had lived in Allen, please or mail the story and pictures. Thank you for your support! Brenda allenoutlook@yahoo.com Town Clerk Hours Jame VanDewalker Town Clerk (585) Office Hours: Monday 8:00 AM 12:00 PM Tuesday 8:00 AM 12:00 PM Wednesday 10:00 AM 2:00 PM Emergency Only: (585) *

3 Page 3 ALLEN OUTLOOK FOODLINK MOBILE PANTRY FEBRUARY 5TH Belfast Firehall 3pm to 5 pm Must be 18 to accept food No income requirements No I.D. required **Pre-registration is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. No income requirements: however proof of income household income must be on file with ACCORD Corporation for program reporting process purposes. Personal identifiable information is not shared on the program reports. Please call the number below for more information and to pre-register (585) ext Farewell to Town Justice Jim Banish Thank you for your dedication to our town and community for 28 years.

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5 Page 5 ALLEN OUTLOOK Free Cpr, aed, and basic first aid class On behalf of the Allegany County Million Hearts Committee, you re invited to attend upcoming FREE CPR/AED/Basic First Aid Training at the following locations: Date: Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016 Time: 1pm-4pm Site: JMH, Walchli Education Rm, 191 North Main Street, Wellsville Register for class no later than Feb. 3rd Date: Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 Time: 5:30pm-8:30pm Site: Ardent Solutions, Inc 85 North Main Street, Wellsville Register for class no later than Feb. 8th Date: Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016 Time: 9am-12pm Site: Cuba Cultural Center, 38 East Main Street, Cuba Register for class no later than Feb.17th Date: Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 Time: 9am-12pm Site: St. Phillip s Episcopal Church, Parish Hall, 12 Willets Avenue, Belmont Register for class no later than Feb. 19th Ardent Solutions is a proud American Health and Safety Institute Training Center, providing CPR, AED, and Basic First Aid combination training. CPR, AED and Basic First Aid combination training helps develop basic first aid knowledge, skills, and the confidence to respond. The training is an excellent choice for both the community and is recommended by the 2010 National First Aid Science Advisory Board and OSHA s best practices for first aid training in the workplace. The course is perfect for individuals who require or desire CPR, AED and first Aid knowledge and skills. An excellent opportunity for businesses, child care workers, bus drivers, adult residential care personnel, personal care aides, informal caregivers, faith leaders or anyone wishing to help in an emergency. To register call Brian Perkins at , ext. 121

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11 ALLEN OUTLOOK Page 11 Topping: 1/4 c. sugar 1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest Muffins: 2 c. fresh blueberries, picked over 1 1/8 c. + 1 tsp. sugar 2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 2 large eggs 4 T. unsalted butter, melted & cooled slightly 1/4 c. vegetable oil 1 c. buttermilk 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1. For the topping: Stir the sugar and lemon zest together in a small bowl until combined; set aside. 2. For the muffins: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a standard muffin tin with vegetable oil spray (or line with paper liners and spray). Bring 1 cup of the blueberries and 1 tsp. of the sugar to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, mashing the berries with a spoon several times and stirring frequently, until the berries have broken down and the mixture is thickened about 6 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and cool to room temperature, minutes. 3. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl. Whisk the remaining 1 1/8 cups sugar and eggs together in a medium bowl until thick and homogeneous, about 45 seconds. Slowly whisk in the butter and oil until combined. Whisk in the buttermilk and vanilla until combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold the egg mixture and the remaining 1 cup blueberries into the flour mixture until just moistened (if adding whole blueberries - I don't add them). The batter will be very lumpy with a few spots of dry flour; do not overmix. 4. Fill muffin cups 1/2 full with batter and top with a teaspoon or so of the cooked berry mixture. Use a toothpick and swirl together. Divide the remaining batter between muffin cups. The batter should completely fill the cups and mound slightly. Divide the remaining cooked berry mixture between muffin cups. Use a toothpick and gently swirl the berry filling into the batter using a figure-eight motion. Sprinkle the lemon sugar evenly over the muffins. 5. Bake until the muffin tops are golden and just firm, minutes, rotating the muffin tin halfway through. Cool the muffins in the muffin tin for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack and cool 5 more minutes before serving. Yield: 12 muffins.

12 Allen Outlook Phone: Fax: Editor: Brenda L. Norton State Senator 57th Senatorial District Catharine M. Young Legislative Office Building, Room 307 Albany, NY (518) Fax: (518) West Gate Plaza 700 West State Street Olean, NY (800) (716) Fax: (716) Website: New York Assembly 148th Assembly District Joseph M. Giglio Legislative Office Building Room 439 Albany, NY (518) Fax: (518) Westgate Plaza 700 West State Street Olean, NY (716) Fax: (716) Town Meetings 2nd Tuesday, 7:00pm Phone: (585) Meeting Location: Town Hall Fax: (585) Supervisor: Julie Steadman 4949 Klein Road, Fillmore, NY (585) Town Clerk: Jame VanDewalker (585) Tax Collector: Beth Dennis 8131 Old State Road, Angelica NY (585) Town Justice: TOWN OF ALLEN 4949 Klein Road, Fillmore, NY Councilmen: Richard Streiff 5826 Seavert Road, Fillmore, NY (585) Edgar J. Allen 8621 Old State Road, Angelica, NY (585) Donna Dorvit 5473 Dorvit Road, Fillmore, NY (585) Judy Allen 8621 Old State Road, Angelica, NY (585) Assessor: Duane Aylor Old State Road, Dalton, NY (585) Superintendent of Highways: Alian Hennard (585) Dog Control Officer:: Connie Otto (585) Town Attorney: David Brautigam 9888 County Road 23 ( Allegany County Board of Legislators District V Aaron M. McGraw 1296 Randolph Road (607) Cell Alfred Station, NY aaron.mcgraw@yahoo.com Phillip B. Curran 5431 County Road 12 (607) Cell Alfred Station, NY curran_d5@yahoo.com Charles O. Jessup PO Box State Route 244 (607) Home Alfred Station, NY coj14803@yahoo.com