Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Northwest Savings Bank has made a $25,000 contribution to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford to provide tuition support for high school students in the region who are taking classes through the university’s Bridges and College in the High School dual enrollment programs. The contribution comes through a tax credit program offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. This is the second year Northwest has taken advantage of the program. “Northwest is pleased to be able to continue providing funds through opportunities made available through tax credit programs,” said Bill Pantuso, senior vice president, district manager – Warren, McKean, Potter and Tioga Counties. “Northwest and Pitt-Bradford have deep roots in the region, and we look forward to future partnerships with them to help high school students in the region take classes at the university.” Pitt-Bradford has two kinds of programs in which...

More than 300 people turned out for Sunday’s second annual Marilla Winter Trek. Rick Lutz of the Tuna Valley Trails Association says, “Everything went great, including the weather. I am especially happy for Gene (Cornelius), who created the monster.” He said the hundreds of people were all over the Marilla area snowshoeing, hiking, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and geocaching. He said the geocache crew planted the caches a few weeks ago, and the snow covered up all traces of them. Lutz also said families were building snowmen out on the ice and the county rescue dive team did a demonstration. He said paramedics wee on hand as well, and local police helped with parking. He added that they went through “every bit of food” they had, along with 5 gallons of cider and 5 gallons of hot chocolate. Planning has already started for the third annual Marilla Winter Trek, hosted by the TVTA. “It is a lot of work,” Lutz said, “but worth it when it turns out so well.”

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford recognized 29 staff members celebrating service anniversaries at a dinner held last week at the Bradford Club. Jeff Armstrong, a senior maintenance worker on the facilities management team, was honored for 35 years of service. Four employees were honored for 30 years of service, Mark Burns, assistant director of campus police and safety; Donald O. Johnson, mail carrier; Vickie L. Pingie, associate director of admissions; and Donald A. Robbins, hazardous waste officer for facilities management. Sharie Radzavich, administrative assistant for the Division of Communication and the Arts, and enrollment services assistant Karen Strotman were recognized for 25 years of service. Richard T. Esch, vice president of business affairs, was recognized for 15 years of service. Those recognized for 10 years of service were James L. Baldwin, assistant dean of academic affairs and registrar; Pat Frantz Cercone, director of communications a...

By SANDRA RHODES The Tuna Valley Trail Association (TVTA) has blazed a new trail. The TVTA dedicated its new trail – the Blaisdell-Emery Trail – during the first-ever recognition dinner Wednesday night at the Masonic Center on South Avenue. The evening started with a guided hike from Lewis Run to the trailhead at Owens Way. This was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The 3.8-mile trail, which runs from the Penn Brad Oil Museum to the Keystone Powdered Metal plant in Lewis Run, pays homage to two men who blazed their own trails and left an indelible mark on Bradford in their own right. TVTA president Rick Esch described how both men made in impact on the community. George G. Blaisdell, inventor of the Zippo lighter, came from humble beginnings and struggled in the early part of his life. He later created an American icon and left a legacy of charity along the way. “He was very generous to the community,” Esch said. That generosity continues today with the Philo and Sarah Blaisdell F...

The Ninth Annual Kinzua Outdoor and Travel Show, February 26th and 27th, offers a broad range of speakers and children’s programs with a wide variety of interests that appeal to all ages. The Show, held at the Bradford Mall, is scheduled for 4 pm to 9 pm Friday the 26th, and 10 am to 6 pm Saturday the 27th. “The 2010 speaker series and youth activity lineup will compel you to attend the event,” stated John Sullivan, event chair. “It is impossible to select just one to attend in either our main speaker area or the youth activity area.” The Speaker Series kicks off on Friday the 26th at 6:30 pm with Rick Esch and John Shinaberger of the Tuna Valley Trail Association to discuss Tuna Valley Trail Association: Past, Present, and Future. At 7:15 pm, Kirk Johnson of the Friends of Allegheny Wilderness – Warren will present Preserving Wilderness Areas in the Allegheny National Forest. Both programs appeal to all ages interested in exploring and protecting the abundant natural resources thro...