Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has named five new members to its Advisory Board and reappointed 18 members. Newly elected to the board are Joseph B. Bower Jr., William W. Chapman ’86, John R. Foerstner ’79, Christopher L. Luke ’94 and Jeannine Schoenecker. Christopher Napoleon ’87-’88, president of the Pitt-Bradford Alumni Association, was appointed an ex officio member of the board, as were Katharine Pude, superintendent of the Bradford Area School District; Anne M. Kearney, superintendent of the St. Marys Area School District; and Matthew D. Splain, superintendent of the Otto-Eldred Area School District. New member Bower is president and chief executive officer of CNB Bank in Clearfield. He served in the U.S. Army for 13 years before becoming a public accountant. He worked with Mifflinburg Bank and Trust before moving in 1997 to CNB, where he was chief financial officer and chief operating officer before becoming president and CEO. ...

The Bradford Hospital Auxiliary and The Bradford Hospital Foundation are pleased to announce the second annual “Spring Swing Gala” slated for March 24, 2012 at the Pennhills Club in Bradford, PA. The event is to support the renovation of the Labor and Delivery unit at Bradford Regional Medical Center. Admission is $125 per person and includes hors d'oeuvres, complimentary wine and a cash bar. The event starts at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. The Gala is a black tie optional evening. This unique dinner dance will honor community members, M. Javed Akhtar, M.D. and Zenaide S. Still. “Dr. Akhtar and Zenaide have given tirelessly to their chosen vocations. As dedicated and devoted members of the Bradford community, each has truly embraced humanity,” said Francie Ambuske, Bradford Hospital Foundation Director of Development. Sponsors of the 2012 Spring Swing Gala include Halloran Philanthropies/American Refining Group Inc., Minard Run Oil Co., North...

The Rev. Leo Gallina, a Bradford native and former pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church, will receive the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s highest honor at this year’s commencement ceremony. Dr. Livingston Alexander, president of Pitt-Bradford, will present the Presidential Medal of Distinction to Gallina at the 2012 Commencement Ceremony scheduled on April 29 at 2 p.m. in the KOA Arena of the Sport and Fitness Center. In commenting on campus sentiment about Gallina, Alexander said, “The university community is thrilled to be able to honor Father Gallina. Many of us, faculty, staff and students alike, have found inspiration in his generosity, commitment and enthusiasm. Through his direct and indirect gifts, he has left a lasting legacy at Pitt-Bradford.” Gallina responded with his trademark humility. “I am most humbled by this award and truly enjoy helping out in a small way so that others may have an education for the future,” he ...

Two new priests are coming to Bradford. On July 29, Father Raymond Gramata will be replace Father Leo Gallina as pastor of St. Bernard’s Church. Gallina is retiring. Gramata is currently pastor of St. Agatha’s Parish in Meadville. Father Stephen Collins will be coming to St. Francis of Assisi and Our Mother of Perpetual Help churches to fill in for Father Sam Slocum, who was suspended in April after criminal charges were filed against him. Collins is currently the administrator at St. Anthony’s Parish in Sheffield and chaplain at Warren State Hospital.

The Rev. Leo Gallina, pastor of St. Bernard Church and a supporter of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, has established a scholarship at Pitt-Bradford in memory of his brother, Philip John Gallina. It is the second scholarship that Father Gallina has established in memory of members of his family, having established the Leo J. and Jessie S. Gallina and Father Leo Gallina Scholarship in 1993. That scholarship is awarded to several students each year. Philip Gallina died from cancer in 2006 at the age of 63. “We were good friends,” as well as brothers, Father Gallina explained. Philip Gallina graduated from St. Vincent’s Preparatory School in Latrobe and went to St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, N.Y., where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1965. He went on to complete his Master of Business Administration degree from Duquesne University in 1967. He worked as a certified public accountant in Pittsburgh with Arthur Young and Co. and was a member of the American Institute of...

Many of the Sisters of St. Joseph were in Bradford Sunday as part of their continuing yearlong celebration of their 150th anniversary of serving the Erie Diocese. A Mass celebrated by Father Leo Gallina, pastor of St. Bernard's Church, was followed by a reception in the parish center. The sisters are visiting communities in which they ministered throughout the years to reconnect with the people they served. Pictured, left, Kristen Tate Luther poses with Sister Mary Rachael McGuire, one of the most beloved teachers at Bradford Central Christian High School. Pictured, below, the reception honoring the sisters hosted by the St. Bernard's Catholic Women's Club. Personal note: When you hear me enunciate "our" (instead of pronouncing it like "are") that's because of Sister Rachel. ("because" of Sister Rachel, not "becuz")

Raymond C. Schweizer, 90, of 180 Penhurst Dr. Pittsburgh, PA., formerly of 15 Thomas Road, Bradford, passed away Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh. Born January 30, 1921, in Buffalo he was a son of the late Charles and Gertrude (Raymond) Schweizer. On June 25, 1947 in Buffalo he married Elizabeth "Betty" (Roarke) Schweizer who died April 24, 2005. He was a 1938 graduate of Bennett High School in Buffalo, and later graduated with a bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of Buffalo in 1951. In 1943 he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp and attended B-29 Flight Engineering School. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He worked as a police officer in Buffalo while attending the University of Buffalo. After the service he worked for the FBI in Philadelphia. Later he began working as a Dealer Representative for the Ford Motor Company covering Upstate New York and North Western Pennsylvania. In 1964 he purchased Fairway ...

6 to 9:30 p.m. Dick Otto and the Music Makers 6:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies with master of cermonies Stan Pecora and peformances by Tubby Colella, Mary Bean, Chelsey Colosimo and Melanie Bizzaro. Father Leo Gallina will provide the blessing. Area children will release red, white and green balloons. Some of the food and game booths will open at 4 p.m.

Father Leo Gallina, pastor of St. Bernard Church, celebrated the 45th anniversary of his ordination as a priest Sunday with the help of many of his parishioners. The St. Bernard's Catholic Women's Club hosted the gathering. Pictured, Father Gallina and Father Christpher Barnes of St.Michael Parish in Greenville look over the memorabilia ( Photo coutresy of Sandra Rhodes ); Father Gallina making sure everyone gets enough to eat; Father Gallina chatting with several guests including, Francie Long, Elmer and Ann DeLucia and Frances Sweeney; and Father Gallina thanking everyone for attending the gathering. Among those looking on are Ann Cavallero, Dick Cavallero, Bill Chapman, Dave Fuhrman and Nancy Fuhrman.

This little girl waits for her family outside St. Bernard Church as Father Leo Gallina greets parishioners following the 10 a.m. Easter Sunday Mass. ( Photos by Anne Holliday )

16-year-old Joe Frederick carries the cross from the First United Methodist Church to the First Presbyterian Church during the annual Good Friday Cross Walk. More than 300 people participated in the event. Other churches along the walk were St. Bernard, the First Baptist, Church of the Ascension, Grace Lutheran and the First Free Methodist. Ministers speaking on the topic "Transformed by the Cross" during the stops at the churches were the Rev. Lee Beckes, Father Leo Gallina, the Rev. Mary Houck, the Rev. Phil Palutro, the Rev. Dennis Swineford, the Rev. Mike McAvoy and the Rev. Dave Bunnell. ( Photo by Anne Holliday )

The Main Street hanging basket program has again had a successful fundraising year with the help and support of the Bradford community. The following individuals, businesses and merchants have participated in the program: The Betty Jane Monjar Garden Society, the Philo and Sarah Blaisdell Foundation, The Jack Graham Family, Bill and Terri Leven, Rev. Leo J. Gallina, Zippo/Case Visitors Center, Tin Ceiling Gift Shoppe, Ott & McHenry Pharmacy, Hailie and Art Cox, Jan Caruso, Jen Eakin, David and Linda Newman, Triple A Nail, Just Riding Along, Futures Rehabilitation Center, and Stanley E. Pecora Jr., Attorney-At-Law. “We really couldn’t do this program without the support of these individuals and organizations,” said Main Street Manager, Anita Dolan. “Their help is really appreciated and the baskets look beautiful,” Dolan added. Signs recognizing the supporters are in the process of being made and will be placed with each basket.

Financially strapped schools unable to send a bus loaded with kids to St. Bonaventure’s arts center can now ask for a bus loaded with art to visit them. The university Friday formally dedicated its new Artmobile, a mobile arts education bus that will target K-12 schoolchildren in the region whose districts often don’t have the resources to send them to the museum. State Sen. Catharine Young (R-Olean) helped secure the $50,000 state grant used to purchase and equip the vehicle. She spoke at the dedication ceremony inside the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. “This means a lot to me personally,” Sen. Young said. “I had the good fortune of growing up on a dairy farm in Livingston County … but my mom was a teacher and she always made sure that we had opportunities to see the philharmonic in Rochester, or go see a play or an art exhibit. “Those experiences helped shape the person I am, and I want to make sure that our young people have those chances to enrich themselves culturally. We a...