Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The United Way of the Bradford Area hosted the annual Red Feather Volunteer recognition luncheon on Thursday, honoring Lisa Minich. The event, which took place at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, is held to honor outstanding individuals and/or businesses who have made an impact on the United Way of the Bradford Area, and the local community as a whole, through their day-to-day selfless attitudes and commitment to exemplifying the organization’s mission of enhancing the quality of life in the greater Bradford Area. Minich was presented her award by close friend, Jeannine Schoenecker, and her son, Dan Minich. “Over the last three years, Lisa has been the driving force behind the success of the leadership division, during which time giving in this category went from a little more than $40,000 in 2011 to more than $57,000 in 2013,” said Schoenecker. Dan Minich referenced his grandfather - Lisa’s father - as being her philanthropic inspiration. “My mom would tell me stories ...

Futures Rehabilitation Center clients Tom Miller, Ashley Peterson and Mike Walter have been selected as the United Way of the Bradford Area’s 2014 Excellence in Representation honorees. The trio were part of the Speaker’s Bureau for the 2013 campaign, but have long-been volunteers and advocates for the local United Way. “I am so happy to be able to recognize my three friends with this honor,” said Executive Director Mandi Wilton Davis. “Between them, they spoke at 25% of our workplace presentations, and were able to tell their personal stories to more than 300 people. “Everyone to whom they spoke walked away with a better understanding of not only the relationship between Futures and the United Way, but the importance of continuing to give to the annual campaign to ensure that they and their peers could continue their jobs at the workshop.” Tom, who is a Bradford native, has been at Futures for 44 years, and has been a member of the Speaker’s Bureau for the past five. “A favorite...

The United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. has made great gains in recent days, announcing today that the organization has raised 50 percent of its $330,000 goal. “We couldn’t be more excited about this,” says Executive Director Megan Minich. “We are so grateful for the community’s generosity. In the past two weeks, we have received a substantial amount of pledges in response to our appeal. Donations have come in large and small, from individual community members to larger corporate gifts, and they all add up. We still have a lot of work to do with less than a month remaining.” “The support from our community members, professionals, businesses, corporations and their employees is astounding. We have had a great response to our employee presentations,” says United Way Board President Vonda Reese. “People in this community know what we are trying to accomplish and really get behind the mission of the United Way.” “The greatest aspect of a donation to United Way is the efficien...

Relay for Life co-chair Brian Abers and his wife Val walk the Survivors Lap hand-in-hand Friday during the annual American Cancer Society event. Later today Abers, a cancer survivor, will announce the grand total raised for this year's relay. (We have it on good authority that they will surpass their goal. We'll let you know.) "Michelle" Walter, a Miss Relay contestant, checks out the motorcycle being raffled off by Kids and Cancer. The bike winner will be announced after the annual Kids and Cancer Motorcyle Run next month. A couple more Miss Relay contestants, along with Scooby Doo, walk the loop at Pitt-Bradford.

Guinevere (sometimes known as Mark Brien) wins the Miss Relay contest. "She" and the second place contestant alone raised more than $1,000.

Just a reminder that “Our Town: Bradford” premieres at 8 o’clock tonight on WPSU-TV. You can also watch the show at http://wpsu.org . About a dozen area residents will be working the phones, and taking donations, at the WPSU studios tonight. Among them are Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Director Ron Orris and our own Mike Walter. The Option House is also hosting a viewing party.

Frank Williams, who is on his way to Clearfield for the Owls/Bisons game, tells us that Route 219 is closed from Lantz Corners to Wilcox because of an accident between a passenger vehicle and a tractor trailer. One injury has been reported. Traffic is being re-routed. We'll have more information as it becomes available. ~~~ At 4:53 p.m. Frank called to say the broadcast crew had just gotten to Ridgway -- an hour and 40 minutes after leaving Bradford. He said the roads are slippery, adding "When the semis are crawling you know it's bad." ~~~~ Another Frank update: It took the broadcast crew 2 1/2 hours to get from Bradford to Clearfield -- a little more than half an hour longer than usual. Frank says Interstate 80 was snow-covered and he talked to a truck driver in Clearfield who said he's seen snow on I-80 before "but not like it is now." And, because Frank, Tom and Mike made it to Clearfield safely, you can hear the game online at WESB.com starting at...

The annual McKean County Special Olympics Bowling Tournament was held on Sunday, October 25, at Byllye Lanes in Bradford, with over 100 special athletes competing. Capturing gold medals were Jay Furman, Charles Bradt, Nick Battles, Jon Palmquist, Rebecca Buccolini, Tracy Carson, Kim Langworthy, Jackie Wolfe, Peg Sitarchuk, Bob Clawson, Henry Keller, Sheridan Phillips, Jim Carlson, Dexter Rankin, Mike Walter, Matt Scott, Charlie Barr, Jon Seitz, Kim Daniels, Jalisa Daniels, Mike Frost, Roger Jacoby, Joe Sostakowski, Glenn Lee, Roger Austin, Gary Stewart, Fred Stewart, Glenn Carr, Lenny Hummel, George Weeks, Ashley Peterson, Janet Pressler, Anna Smith, Joe Lee, David Rose and Joe Torrey. Silver medal winners were Margot Abbott, Margie Laubham, Milo Cline, Carol Bryan, David Winters, Mike Monti, Marty Cline, Rocco Vavalo, John Currie, Tom Day, Lisa Williams, David Wolford, Margie Kibby, Amber Mays, George Burton, Julie Boyle, Jon Farnham, Bill Whitney, Lenny Kribbs, Chris Lathrop, Eric Ba...

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."

Mike Walter sits on a bench in front of Futures Rehabilitation Center that was dedicated today to the memory of his mother, Jo Ann Walter, a longtime Futures supporter. The bench is on the walkway between the parking lot and the building. Jo Ann Walter died in June after a battle with cancer.

Mary from Tops (top photo) serves up a couple of lunch specials to a couple of the people who attended Saturday's Outdoor Corn Sale Event. Proceeds from the lunch sales went to the United Way of the Bradford Area. Below, United Way Executive Director Kelly Case chats with Greg Ulyan of Chapel Ridge and WESB/WBRR Sales Director Peggy Austin, who is also looking through a United Way cookbook. Sparky the Fire Dog, and other members of the Bradford City Fire Department were also on hand at the event, signing people up for smoke detectors, handing out fire safety information and collecting donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Rich Zmuda demonstrates the Hazard House for Mike Walter and Stefan Arlington

go to Mike and Tim Walter on the passing of their mother.

McKean County Special Olympians captured eight gold medals and a number of other awards at the annual Pennsylvania Special Olympics State Games held last weekend at Penn State. Kim Daniels won gold medals for the long jump and 100-meter run. She also won a silver in the 200-meter run. Matt Main won a gold medal in the long jump. Other track winners were Mike Walter -- silver for the 50-meter walk -- and Justin Conner -- bronze for the long jump and 200-meter run. Jesse Crum, Joe Sostakowski and George Burton won gold medals in golf. Matt Scott won a gold medal in swimming for the 25-meter freestyle. Morgan Nelson got a silver in the 25-meter backstroke and Susan Parkes won a bronze in the 25-meter backstroke. In basketball skills, Tina Whitford won a silver and Robert Tubbs won a bronze. In bowling, Stephanie Heffner and Bary Stewart both got bronze medals. In softball skills, Steve McQuone won a gold medal. Shannon Pettit won a silver and Lee Dunmire won a bronze. More than 2,000 athl...

Our own Mike Walter boards the bus that's taking him and other athletes from McKean and Warren counties to the Pennsylvania Special Olympics Summer Games at Penn State University today through Saturday. The McKean and Warren athletes will join more than 2,000 Special Olympians from across the state for three days of competition. Mike will be sending us reports from Penn State, and you'll hear those on 1490 WESB.

Twenty-two special athletes from McKean County have been selected to compete at the Pennsylvania Special Olympics Summer Games at Penn State University, June 4-6. The McKean athletes will join more than 2,000 Special Olympians from across the state for three days of competition. Qualifying to compete in bowling are Stephanie Heffner and Gary Stewart. Track and field athletes include Charlie Barr, Kim Daniels, Konner Kagarise, Justin Conner, Bailey Kinner, Matt Main and Mike Walter. The swim team will consist of Susan Parkes, Ashley Peterson, Morgan Nelson, Andrew Wilson and Matt Scott. Playing golf for McKean County will be Joe Sostakowski, George Burton and Jesse Crum. Competing in softball individual skills will be Steve McQuone, Sharon Petitt and Lee Dunmire. Competing in basketball individual skills will be Robert Tubbs and Tina Whitford. Selections for State Games are based on performance in training and in local and regional competitions prior to the state event. Over...

More than 250 athletes competed in the 34th annual McKean County Zippo/Special Olympics Track Meet Wednesday at Kane Area High School. This event is the qualifier for the state games being held June 4, 5 and 6 in State College. The athletes will learn later this month who will participate in the state competition. To listen to a report from Correspondent Mike Walter, click HERE .

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...