Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

We’ve heard it before: The Kennedy Street Bridge is one step closer to being replaced. This time, however, a company has been hired to do the work. The L.C. Whitford Company Inc. of Wellsville, N.Y., submitted the lowest of five bids for the job at $444,436. PennDOT opened the bids on December 2, and Bradford City Council authorized execution of the contract on Tuesday. Also during Tuesday’s meeting, council authorized a contract with E & M Engineers for $100,644 for design of the School Street Elementary Safe Routes to School project. Council also agreed to execute an agreement with Habiterra Architecture to provide design and related enhancements to the Kessel Athletic Complex for $152,000. The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will reimburse the city for the cost of the engineering services. Council also authorized the filing of an application for Transportation Enhancement Funding through the North Central Regional Planning and Development Commission for the Elm Street/Davis...

Mike Walter has been re-elected president of the AKtion Club. Chelsea Albright was re-elected vice president; Rose Colella, secretary; and Ashley Peterson was elected treasurer. Directors serving until 2010 are Tracy Carson and Jeff VanScoter. Directors serving until 2011 are Pete Carlson and Joe Lee. Swearing in of officers was done by District Judge Dom Cercone. Walter says the club's plans are working on Kiwanis Kapers, participating in the Salvation Army's Kettle Drive, continuing to raise money and plan for Relay for Life and working on First Night. "We're scattered all over the place," Walter said of First Night. "We go wherever they need us."

By George Nianiatus, senior writer Communications Department A $12,000 GlideScope specially designed to enable easier intubation in patients with difficult airway conditions was purchased for Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) by Bradford Hospital Auxiliary. The GlideScope, manufactured by Verathon Medical, is designed for first-pass success to give healthcare providers a clear view of the patient’s airway. This enables quick intubation, which involves inserting a tube through the mouth or the nose and into a patient's lungs to help them breathe. “This is the most up-to-date medical equipment available for use on difficult airways,” says Robert Landfried, D.O., F.A.O.C.A., chairman of BRMC’s Department of Anesthesiology/Pain Management. “The GlideScope is best used on patients with airway trauma from vehicle accidents, injuries to the face or those with facial abnormalities.” Dr. Landfried already has experienced how well the GlideScope performs. “It definitely makes a big dif...

George Nianiatus, senior writer Communications Department On some rare occasions a community fundraising event goes beyond original expectations. It happened on a wintry evening Feb. 7 when “Touching Hearts, Changing Lives” was held at the Grace Lutheran Church Community Life Center as a fundraiser for the Bradford Hospital Auxiliary, whose goal is to support Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC), and the AKtion Club, a Kiwanis-sponsored organization for adults with disabilities. The event raised $8,000. “Given the economic conditions, the sponsorships meant that much more to us,” says Virginia Hauser, the Auxiliary’s executive director, of the 170 who attended the gala featuring EJ the DJ and a large video screen for added visual effects, plus a hors d’oeuvres buffet catered by the Kennedy Street Café. “But sometimes an event like this is not just all about raising money. It’s about touching people’s hearts. From what I saw, we clearly accomplished that at this event,” Mrs. Hauser s...

Ginny Hauser from the Bradford Hospital Auxiliary and Mike Walter of the AKtion Club talking about the upcoming "Touching Hearts, Changing Lives" fundraiser.

George Nianiatus, senior writer Communications Department If supporting two worthy community causes while getting a chance to dance and have your plate piled high with delectable food sounds appealing, the “Touching Hearts, Changing Lives” fundraiser will be a must-attend event in early February. The fundraiser, slated for Saturday, Feb. 7, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the Grace Lutheran Church Community Life Center, 79 Mechanic St., partners Bradford Hospital Auxiliary and the AKtion Club as event co-sponsors. Proceeds from the Valentine’s Day-type dance will benefit the Auxiliary, whose goal is to support Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC), and also the AKtion Club, a Kiwanis-sponsored organization for adults with disabilities. The Auxiliary made its largest pledge in history of $300,000 to support BRMC’s Capital Campaign. A $60,000 donation by the Auxiliary was made last year toward its five-year pledge amount. Meanwhile, the AKtion Club is Bradford’s newest community service club tha...

The newly formed Bradford AKtion Club officially received its charter during a celebration last night at Togi's. Kiwanis Club President Todd Peine had this message for AKtion Club President Mike Walter and the rest of the members, "With all the stuff you guys have already done, it shows you have been wanting to do things for your community; you have the ability to do things for the community. Now you have an avenue to do that." Other AKtion Club officers are Chelsea Albright, vice president; Rose Colella, secretary; and Renee Chittester, treasurer. Board members are Tom Miller, Sheridan Phillips, Tracy Carson and Jeffrey VanScoter. Other members of the club are Jay Furman, Henny Keller, Ashley Peterson, Patty Price, Robert Tubbs, Lisa Williams and Jackie Wolfe. Bradford Mayor Tom Riel read a proclamation declaring November 19, 2008, "AKtion Club Day" in Bradford. City Clerk John Peterson, on behalf of State Representative Marty Causer, read a resolution from the...

AKtion Club President Mike Walter listens as Mayor Tom Riel reads a resolution proclaiming November 19 AKtion Club Day in the City of Bradford. The AKtion Club, a division of the Kiwanis Club, is the first service club established in the area in more than 30 years. American Refining Group provided grant money to the Kiwanis Club to start the group. Dallas-Morris Drilling and Evergreen Elm are co-sponsors. The Aktion Club has already worked on a project at Hanley Park and is working on several other community projects. By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Plans for the newest portion of the Tuna Valley Trails – the Community Parks Trail – would include the restoration of the Pine Street footbridge and connections to Callahan and Hanley parks. Members of the trail association detailed the plans to Bradford City Council members Tuesday night. The newest part of the trail will make a loop from the Richard E. McDowell Community Trial to Callahan Park to School Street and eventually Barb...

A Resolution recognizing the members and sponsors of the Aktion Club of Bradford as the newest service club in Bradford has been introduced in the State House by Rep. Marty Causer. House Resolution 948, Session 2008 .

Bradford Aktion Club member Henry Keller shows where he’s scraped paint off a wooden racecar in Hanley Park Saturday, while Kiwanian Paula Vecellio, Aktion Club advisor, wields a broom to prepare the car for painting. (Photo by Kimberly Marcott Weinberg ) Members of two Kiwanis family clubs scraped and painted half of the wooden equipment in Hanley Park Saturday. Joining the Kiwanis Club of Bradford in working on the project was the newly formed Aktion Club, a Kiwanis family service club for adults living with disabilities. Chip Comilla of the City of Bradford Parks and Recreation Department was on hand with supplies and helped direct volunteers. Kiwanian Michelle McCann worked with Comilla to organize the event. It was the Aktion Club’s first service project. “I loved it,” said Aktion Club president Mike Walter. “It went very well. Our members got a taste of what it’s like to be out in the community.” The two clubs will return to the park Sept. 20 to finish the painting work. In addit...