Winterfest today

ROULETTE -- A fun day is planned for Saturday (today) in Roulette as the West End Trailblazers Snowmobile Club holds its tenth annual Winterfest and Vintage Snowmobile Show on from 10 am to 4 pm. There is no admission fee and the event is open to all. There will be games for children and adults, music, an auction, warm food and beverages, door prizes, warming stations and more. Owners of vintage snowmobiles are encouraged to bring their sleds. There is no entry fee in a contest for the most impressive vintage snowmobiles. Trophies will be awarded. Organizers emphasize that the event will be held regardless of weather conditions.

Housing Expo Feb. 2

ST. MARYS – Local Housing Options Team is accepting participants for the second annual Housing Expo, to be held on Thursday, Feb. 2, at Edgewood Hall in St. Marys from noon until 5 pm. It will showcase local businesses and vendors affiliated with housing opportunities. Some additional services available will include insurance, real estate, financing, contractors, builders, and suppliers.

More information is available from Amy Wehler at 814-389- 4440.

Post office may close

TURTLEPOINT – Among the small post offices that are proposed for elimination as part of the U.S. Postal Service belt-tightening is the office in the McKean County village of Turtlepoint. Public comment is still being taken on the proposal. Opponents of the plan have posted literature at the post offices in Turtlepoint, Port Allegany and Smethport. They’ve also established a social networking page on the internet.

Honoring war dead

KANE -- A new organization has been formed in Kane to honor soldiers killed while serving their country. Sgt. Ken VanGiesen Memorial Fallen Soldier Tribute Foundation is named for the Kane native who was killed last July while deployed in Afghanistan with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Purpose of the foundation is to help the families of fallen soldiers. Members are creating plaques with photos of the soldiers to be posted in public locations.

Fly-tying lessons

PORT ALLEGANY – Anyone wanting to learn how to produce their own flies and streamers for trout fishing is welcome to attend a training class to be held at 7 pm Tuesdays, starting on Feb. 7, at Port Allegany High School.

Instructors from the Seneca Chapter of Trout Unlimited will provide instruction for beginners and those with limited experience over a period of six week. Cost is $20. More information is available from Buck Daisley at 642- 9155 or Ward Baun at 887-2171.

Elk feeding problems

WEEDVILLE – Problems caused by the illegal feeding of elk in Pennsylvania were spelled out at a recent meeting of the Jay Township Board of Supervisors. Pa. Game Commission wildlife commission officer Dody Mc- Dowell said an increase in elk in the Weedville area can be traced to artificial or supplemental feeding, rather than natural expansion of the elk herd’s range due to habitat. He pointed out that those who are found to be feeding elk will be prosecuted.

Tea Party takes stand

RIDGWAY -- Members of the Elk County Tea Party are speaking out against Senate Bill 1867, the National Defense Authorization Act. Members are opposed to a provision they say would legalize the U.S. government’s detainment of citizens possibly linked with terrorist activity.

Students serving meals

PORT ALLEGANY – Culinary arts students at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center in Port Allegany is opening its Eagle’s Nest Restaurant to the public on a limited basis.

Under the direction of their instructor, chef Paul Farmelo, students will prepare and serve international cuisine in a buffetstyle lunch. Because of limited seating, reservations will be required a week in advance by calling 642-2573 between 8:30 am and 3 pm. Cost is anticipated to be $7.00, cash only. Gratuities are not necessary, but compliments to the students and constructive criticism to the instructor are welcomed.

Seating will begin at 12:30 pm on the following dates: Feb. 2, Italian cuisine; Feb. 9, Spanish; Feb. 16, Asian; Feb. 23, French; March 1, students’ choice.

Fundraiser for teen

ULYSSES – A fundraising dinner for the teenager who was seriously injured in a farm accident earlier this winter will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 4:30 to 7 pm at the Ulysses Firehall. Ruthie Foth, 13, of Whiteville, N. Y., was struck by a wagon being pulled by a tractor on New Year’s Eve at a farm on Bingham Center Road in Bingham Township. She underwent lung surgery and was hospitalized for nearly two weeks. A free will offering will be collected at the Feb. 4 dinner. Menu items will include chicken and biscuits, mashed potatoes, green beans and desserts. There will be a 50/50 raffle and a small auction. More information is available at 814-848-7401.

Vo-Tech head retiring

SMETHPORT – A man whose name is synonymous with the Seneca Highlands Vocational -Technical School in Port Allegany, now the Career and Technical Center, plans to retire in July.

Don Raydo submitted his resignation last week to the IU9 Board of Directors. He has been employed by IU9 for 38 years, most of it as center director.

Board members said they will recruit a successor.

In other business, the board adopted a fiscal 2012-13 budget of $1.25 million. There will be no increase in contributions from the 14 participating public school districts.

Chainsaw carving

RIDGWAY – This year’s Chainsaw Carvers’ Rendezvous, scheduled for Feb. 18-25 in downtown Ridgway, may be the best-attended ever if the weather holds out, according to the organizers, Rick and Liz Boni. The 13th annual event is planned for a section of South Broad and Center streets. Seminars will still be held Monday through Thursday from 9 am to noon at the Masonic Temple. Approximately 180 carvers are registered so far.