Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The local community continues to show its support for the annual United Way campaign, as 20 percent of the $330,000 goal has been raised to date. “I am so excited to give this update,” said Mandi Wilton Davis, Executive Director. “We are working hard to maintain a strong pace throughout the campaign, and we’re so appreciative of the generosity we’ve seen so far.” Nearly half of the contributions received have come from the leadership/professional division, which is co-chaired by Lisa Minich and Jeannine Schoenecker. “We are excited and pleased with the increases we are seeing at the Leadership Level of giving this year,” said Minich. “With so many individuals in our community facing extremely difficult times, it’s inspiring to see the generosity of giving at this level.” Schoenecker echoed those remarks, adding, “It is during times like these that makes us proud to be part of such a caring community.” With two months remaining in the campaign, United Way staff and agency represe...

Special Olympics athletes from throughout McKean County will travel to Kane Area High School on Wednesday, May 1, to compete in the annual Special Olympics/Zippo Track & Field Meet. More than 220 special athletes, ranging from 5 to 69 years of age, are registered to participate at the 38th annual event. Starting time is 10:00 a.m. In case of rain, the meet will be postponed to May 2. Ashley Komidar and Nancy Germano, teachers at Kane Middle School, will serve as event directors. Up to six athletes can qualify to represent McKean County at the Pennsylvania Special Olympics State Games at Penn State, June 6-8. McKean County Special Olympics coordinator Pat Ryan noted, “The track meet is our biggest competition of the year and our athletes have been working hard in training for this event.” Volunteers are needed to help with the meet. They should call 368-9310 or register at the concession stand on Wednesday morning. McKean County Special Olympics is a year-round program of ...

CARE for Children and Pat Ryan received the 2012 George G. Blaisdell YMCA Community Service Award this morning. Ryan (right) is director of operations at Futures Rehabilitation Center and heads McKean County’s Special Olympics program. CARE Executive Director Tina Martin and Board President Mick Marshall accepted the award for the agency, which is in the second phase of its fundraising drive to build a new facility on East Main Street. CARE for Children photo

Special Olympics athletes from throughout McKean County will travel to Kane Area High School on Wednesday, May 2, to compete in the annual Special Olympics/Zippo Track & Field Meet. Over 220 special athletes, ranging from 5 to 66 years of age, are registered to participate at the 37th annual event. Starting time is 10:00 a.m. In case of rain, the meet will be postponed to May 3. Ashley Komidar, teacher at Kane Middle School, will serve as event director. Up to six athletes can qualify to represent McKean County at the Pennsylvania Special Olympics State Games at Penn State, June 7-9. McKean Special Olympics coordinator Pat Ryan noted, “The track meet is our biggest event of the year. Our numbers are up and our athletes have been working hard in preparation.” Volunteers are needed to help with the meet. They should call 368-9310 or register at the concession stand on Wednesday morning. McKean County Special Olympics is a year-round program of sports training and c...

The United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. has made great gains in recent days, announcing today that the organization has raised 50% of its $325,000 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 level of loyalty of our donors is truly inspirational,” 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 efficiency of one gift to help so many people in need,” continued Reese. “Last year’s campaign allowed our organization to provide funding to 1...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Richard Dorn was presented with the United Way’s Red Feather Award during a dinner Thursday night. "I know that in this area there a lot of people who have done a heck of lot more than I have done or will do,” Dorn said, “so I’m here, maybe, as their representative more than for myself.” Dorn then went on to tell the community members what they have done in the past 14 years, as documented by the Sunshine Report which was his brainchild. “You have offered nearly 47,000 nights of safe, free shelter to the homeless. … You have offered over 15,000 days and nights of protection to those who have been abused within or outside their homes. You have counseled over 7,000 people in crisis who needed help to change their situation and resume their lives,” he said. The community has also provided more than half a million hot meals – free – to people who needed them, and has delivered more than five tons of groceries, Dorn added. He also mentioned the ...

The United Way of the Bradford Area will honor Pat Ryan, Director of Operations at Futures Rehabilitation Center, as this years Excellence in Representation awardee. The creation of this award, deemed as the Excellence in Representation, stems from the involvement displayed (in the United Way’s most recent campaign) from their funded agencies. The recipients commitment and connection to the United Way’s mission was prevalent and remains as such throughout the year. “As we honor Pat (Ryan) this year the definition of the award speaks for itself through Pat’s example. Pat remains a mentor of the United Way speakers bureau and the voice of our collaboration with our funded agencies”, according to Kelly Case, Executive Director of the United Way of the Bradford Area. Futures Rehabilitation has been providing vocational and activity services for over 40 years for persons with disabilities. The longevity and strength of the programs is a tribute to the hardworking participants and employ...

Eight bowlers from McKean County Special Olympics were among over 300 special athletes who competed at the Western Pennsylvania Special Olympics Bowling Tournament held in Pittsburgh recently. Tom Day and George Burton won gold medals. Their names will go into the competition pool and be considered for selection to the Pennsylvania Summer Games at Penn State in June. Silver medalists included Renee Chittester, Jackie Wolfe and Glenn Lee, while Janet Pressler and Donna Dallary won bronze medals. Randy Johnson won a fourth place ribbon. McKean County Special Olympics is a year-round program of sports training and competition for individuals with disabilities. In addition to bowling, programs are offered in swimming, track and field, basketball, golf, skiing and softball.

Over 130 special athletes are registered to compete in the annual Special Olympics Swimming Invitational, Sponsored by Dallas-Morris, which will be held at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Sport and Fitness Center on Friday, Mar. 5, starting at 10:00 a.m. Special Olympians from McKean, Warren, Elk and Cameron counties have been in training for several months in preparation for the competition, according to meet director Carol Ryan. They will be competing for medals in individual and team events. “The swimming invitational is one of the biggest Special Olympics events of the year and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger,” said Ryan. “We’re excited and expect the level of competition to be the best ever.” Up to seven swimmers will qualify to compete at the Pennsylvania Special Olympics Summer Games at Penn State, June 10-12. This year’s invitational is dedicated to long time supporter JoAnn Walter, who passed away in June. Walter was a dedicated volunteer who was a fixture ...

The United Way of the Bradford Area has made great gains in recent days, announcing today that the organization has to date raised 43% of its $325,000 goal. “We couldn’t be more excited about this,” says Executive Director Kelly Case. “When we were going through the figures and updating our system, we knew we had received a substantial amount of pledges in, but were honestly shocked to be able to make such a leap!” “It’s always inspirational to see the generosity in this community during the United Way campaign,” says Pat Ryan, Futures Rehabilitation Center’s Director of Operations and United Way campaign co-chair. “Even in difficult economic times, people in Bradford respond to help their friends and neighbors in need.” The organization is continuing this week with presentations at various businesses and organizations, and has begun the follow-up process for some of the divisions that comprise the campaign. “We will be issuing friendly reminders to the community that they still have t...

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...