Deer Season kicks off Monday. Typically, populations in rural Potter and McKean villages, like Roulette double (at least) for the weekend as sportsmen fill camps and spare bedrooms to stalk the infamous Pennsylvania whitetail. I think they breed the deer better in Potter County. They are faster, smarter, and taste better.

I have noticed that "flatlanders" often get a bad rap in these small towns. And sure, folks that aren't from the mountains like us don't understand us, but we have to remember, those hunters keep our local economy alive. They pump in a lot of money to convenience stores, hotels, restaurants, and sporting goods stores, and property taxes on their hunting camps. Sometimes I think Roulette is like a bad dog: so let's be sure not to bite the hand that feeds us. Why don't we show the itinerant sportsmen some of the same hospitality we show each other?

After all, they'll all go home in a few days, and if their happy, they'll come back and pump in more money to the local economy.

Of course, a lot of local folks hunt as well. I don’t have the eagle eye gene, and though I’m not too bad at skeet shooting, by the time I would see the deer to take a shot, it would be wagging it’s tail flag in retreat. Though I love venison.

My buddies always bring me the meat when they hit a deer with a car. I have noticed the best way to prepare the meat so that it doesn’t taste too wild is to soak it in salt water overnight. It draws the blood out, and softens the flavor. Be sure to slice all the sinews off when you clean the meat… or you’ll be chewing that deer steak for weeks.

So, in honor of the longstaning Roulette tradition of eating venison, I’ll share my secret recipe for the BEST peace of deer meat.

The backstraps are the “prime rib” of venison. Rather than slice the whole strap into steaks, leave the strap whole, and cut off all the white sinews. After soaking it overnight in saltwater, soak the meat in balsamic vinegar and olive oil for a few hours.

Fire up the gas grill. Yes, I know it’s almost December, but if you put the flame on low, and just stand there and flip that backstrap every two minutes or so until it’s no longer red in the middle, it will be the finest cut of meat you’ve ever tasted.

I’ll share my other favorite venison recipe soon! Keep checking back.


Do you have a favorite venison recipe? Email me, we’ll be sure to use it on the site. hatcher@localnet.com

The DEP has awarded a grant for the formation of the Upper Allegany Watershed Association. $20,000 will be given to purchase office equipment, materials to monitor streams, and educational materials. The Watershed Association is seeing new members. Interested environmentalists, anglers, canoers, and nature lovers should contact. Phil Wirtz at 814-274-1119

Potter - McKean Hunters, when you get that buck (or even that doe, coyote, bear, or turkey) Be sure to take a picture and email it to us with your name, the stats on the animal, (weight, points, etc.) along with location of kill (if you feel inclined to disclose) and your hometown. If you miss the picture, that's alright, send us the rest!

We're hoping to put together a special game roster, and get your name and mugshot on the website!

Thanks,

Josh

hatcher@localnet.com

The West End Trailbazers Snowmobile Club will be benefiting from a spaghetti
dinner at PJ's Restaurant Sunday. The Benefit dinner will be held from 4 to
7 PM.

An altercation at the Wharton Tavern in Austin led to charges against Lyle Dynda. Dynda is charged with damaging two pool sticks.

A 16 year old juvenile is listed as a victim of harrassment from a known male. The juvenile otld police that the instigator repeatedly harrassed the victim at a residence at Rohrer's Trailer Park in Roulette.

At the Port Allegany School Board on Monday, the resignation of longtime board member Dawn Fink brought much praise. Fink was not present at the meeting, whith her resignation taking effect November 1st. Many of the members of the school board enjoyed her ability to direct as well as her positive attitude towards the students and the community.

Police have captured the man suspected of arson. 39-year old Timothy Filer of Horseheads, NY has been captured by the Chemung County Sheriff’s Department at Harding, Inc. Filer is accused of setting fire to a barn owned by Carl Sottolano of Shinglehouse. The barn fire caused $10,000 in damage. Filer is being held in the Chemung County Jail, awaiting extradition to Potte r County.

State Police have filed charges against a 17 year old former resident of the Adelphoi Village Group Home in Potter County. The teen allegedly charged over $10,000 on a phone line at the home. The State Police investigation is still ongoing.

A Port Allegany Man faces DUI charges after an accident while traveling along State Route 46 in Farmers Valley. 56 year old Harrison Fuller lost control and struck a utility pole with his 87 Ford F150. State Police determined during the course of the investigation that Fuller was DUI.

I try to keep the news informational, and not editorial, but every now and then a situation arises, and it gives me the opportunity to speak my mind.

At least two sources gave me a news tip that a shooting occured on North Street over the weekend in Roulette. First of all, don't get me wrong, giving me news tips is a good thing. I need them to keep things going. News guys have to get tips to survive in the business. Even unsubstantiated rumors are all but demanded.

When I get a tip, I always call the authorities to confirm it. So I called the State Police, asked if they knew of any shooting in Roulette. The trooper laughed and let me know that there was nothing in the records.

So I asked if there was anything in Roulette that could be mistaken as a shooting. There was a domestic dispute on Seymour Drive and an accident on Fishing Creek.

There was a shooting in RIDGEWAY, which of course we covered at WESB( www.wesb.com ).

Now my concern wasn't with the folks who called me, because they understood my proffession. My concern is with the dozens of people in Roulette who spoke authoritatively on the issue to each other, and generated a rumor that spread across town like a wildfire.

"Hey Maude, did you hear about the shooting on North Street?"

I have to wonder how these things start!

Next time you hear about a shooting on North Street, or some other news worthy peace of gossip, before you spread it on through the rumor mills, email or call me. I'll do my best to find out from the authorities what the truth is, and then I'll let the whole world know!

Or at least our readership of 1400 people.

State Police say 19 year old Elizabeth Webster of Wesfield swerved to miss a deer on Fox Hill Road, when she lost control of her vehicle. The 94 Plymouth Voyager flipped onto it's passenger side, the airbag deployed, and Webster sustained minor injuries.

Opening day of Pennsylvania bear season yielded an average harvest. McKean County hunters harvested 56 bears. 7 bruins were taken from Elk County, and one from Potter County. Game Commission officers say more bears have been harvested closer to towns and villages than in years past.

Timothy Rigas testified in bankruptcy court in New York that he didn’t think he or his father, John Rigas acted illegally in their operations of Adelphia. The pair were convicted in July for bank and securities fraud and conspiracy charges.

Governor Ed Rendell’s request to extend the deadline for disaster relief registration. FEMA extended the deadline for several counties, including nearby Potter, Cameron, and Elk. Flood victims from the storms that swept over Pennsylvania between September 17 and October 1 must call FEMA before December 18.

A Horseheads, NY man is suspect in an arson investigation. State Police say 39-year-old Timothy Filer is accused of setting fire to a barn owned by Carl Sottolano of Shinglehouse. The barn fire caused $10,000 in damage, and Filer is still considered to be at large. Police say he is known to be operating a 1998 Chevy Pick-up truck with a cap and Pennsylvania plates. Police say a warrant has been issued for his arrest, and ask anyone who spots Filer, to call 911.

A one vehicle accident just south of the Potter Game Club road on Fishing Creek has drawn state police investigators. 35year old Shane Kelleher of Andover swerved to avoid missing a deer, and collided his vehicle with a guide rail. The truck continued over a bridge, and rolled onto its roof. Neither Kelleher, nor his passenger, 23 year old Justin Cochran, of Roulette, were injured in the accident.

A Roulette Domestic dispute Sunday ended in assault charges against 39 year old David McGinley. He allegedly assaulted both 35-year-old Tina McGinley and 58 year old Rosemary McGinley. Mr. McGinley was arraigned before the District Justivre and released on unsecured bond.