Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Santa will make several appearances this holiday season in historic downtown Bradford. Santa (from the Arcade & Attica North Pole Express) is scheduled to appear on Thursday, December 4 and Thursday, December 11 from 6-8 p.m. at Wright’s Music Shed, 80 Main Street, Bradford. Photography will be done by Shawn Murray Photography and coffees and hot chocolate will be provided by Creative Coffee. On Saturday, December 13 during downtown Bradford’s Old Fashioned Christmas, Santa will attend a Holiday Brunch from 9 a.m. to Noon at The Aud Restaurant located at 30 Boylston Street. Santa will then appear at Whimsical Studio at 119 Main Street from 1-4 p.m. Santa and a cast of holiday characters will appear at Bradford Little Theatre’s ‘Story Land’ event that will be held at their location at 79 Main Street from Noon -3 p.m. A final appearance by Santa will be held on Thursday, December 18 from 6-8 p.m. at Wright’s Music Shed. Photography will again be done by Shawn Murray Photograp...

Decorated 'Santa House' for many years Daryl R. Williams, 90, of 440 Congress Street, formerly of Rockland Ave., passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at The Pavilion at Bradford Regional Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. A lifelong area resident, he was born November 14, 1922 in Bradford. He was a son of the late Russell H. and Leona B. (Roberson) Williams. He was a 1940 graduate of Bradford High School. On September 8, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during World War II. While in the Army, he served with the 101st Airborne Division, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Company A in the Normandy Invasion, Operation Market Garden in Holland and the defense of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded twice and received the Purple Heart and Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Unit Badge with Oak Leaf Cluster and the European African Middle Eastern Service Badge with four bronze stars. He was honorably discharged October 16, 1945. ...

In case you missed the LiveLine with Sal Lizard on "Being Santa Claus," you can still listen to it. After that, you'll hear some easy entertaining tips. Video streaming by Ustream The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

OLEAN – Fifty units and more than 812 adults and children took part in the 27th Annual Santa Claus Lane Parade held Friday, November 23 in downtown Olean. Judging for this season’s parade was done by Al Wager, National Grid Co.; Paula Snyder, Jamestown Community College; Max Bullers, Home Depot of Olean; and Lori Babcock of Microtel Inn of Olean. The Elves Award, sponsored by Family Partners Group, a float or unit that best typifies the holiday through the eyes of a child; went to Hinsdale Cub Scout Pack . Angelic Spirit Award sponsored by Mandy’s Flowers, awarded to the Greater Olean Association of Churches as the most spiritual/religious float or unit. Blitzen Award, sponsored by Times Herald went to Continental School of Beauty as the most photogenic float; Jingle Bells Award, sponsored by Microtel Inn of Olean, the best theatrical (music/dance) float was awarded to Rock-it-Out DJing and Olean Dance Arts ; The Rudolph Award, sponsored by National Grid Co., for the float with t...

These two young guys anxiously await the arrival of Santa Claus during Friday's 4th annual Cruisin' into Christmas parade on Main Street, as Santa's Helper Richard Obermyer hands out candy. Even before Santa's arrival, one of the boys turned to his grandfather and said, "Thanks for bringing me. This is great!" The parade is held a week before the traditional start of the holiday shopping season to bring people downtown to see what local merchants have to offer. This man got the best seat in the house -- Santa's chair -- at the Main Street Mercantile during the parade. And how did he manage to get the job of keeping the Jolly Old Elf's seat warm until he got to the Mercantile. Easy. He's the father of Mercantile owner Todd Hennard. (And that's Todd's Mom, too.) Santa's Mailbox is also at the Mercantile so kids can drop their letters off for Santa to read on 1490 WESB. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps. Read it all at Newseum.org/YesVirginia or, better yet, read along with Chris Mackowski. Listen here . The original news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Where will Santa be headed when he leaves WESB Friday after doing his Santa's Mailbag show? NORAD is once again tracking him for us. http://www.noradsanta.org/en/ You can also track Santa on Facebook, Twitter and on your cell phone by going to that website. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Here's the schedule of events for Bradford's Old Fashioned Christmas on Saturday Breakfast with Santa 9AM – 10:30 AM Aud Restaurant 30 Boylston Street Josiah and Tina Herne will be serving breakfast with Santa at The Aud Restaurant. One child per paying adult will eat free from a special Santa Menu. Horse-drawn Carriage Rides 11AM – 3PM Main Street Mercantile Board at the Merchantile, and let Prince & Otis take you on a tour of Historic Mainstreet before returning to the mercantile for Holiday shopping & festivities. Sponsored by Real living AVISTA & Hennard Construction. Letters to Santa Hey Kids! Drop your letters to Santa at his special mailbox at The Mercantile. Letters will be accepted throughout December. Happy Holiday Open House Friday 10AM – 7PM, Sat. 9AM – 5PM Grandma’s Tea House 16 Congress Street Stop in and have freshly brewed tea while you shop the unique items available in this historic shop. Blou Christmas Item Collection 9AM – 2PM Cavallaro Paint ...

OLEAN – Fifty-three units and more than 1,125 adults and children -- including our own Scott Douglas -- took part in the 26th Annual Santa Claus Lane Parade held Friday, November 25 in downtown Olean. Judging for this season’s parade was done by Al Wager, National Grid Co.; Paula Snyder, Jamestown Community College; Max Bullers, Home Depot of Olean; and Lori Babcock of Microtel Inn of Olean. The Elves Award, sponsored by Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, a float or unit that best typifies the holiday through the eyes of a child; went to Cub Scout Pack 621. Angelic Spirit Award sponsored by Mandy’s Flowers, awarded to Archbishop Walsh Academy as the most spiritual/religious float or unit. Blitzen Award, sponsored by Times Herald went to The-Connection as the most photogenic float; Jingle Bells Award, sponsored by Microtel Inn of Olean, the best theatrical (music/dance) float was awarded to Rock-it-Out DJing and Olean Dance Arts; The Rudolph Award, sponsored by National Grid Co., ...

Dane Anderson of Kane was the first person in line to see Santa Claus at the Main Street Mercantile (45 Main Street) Friday night. Dane gave Santa a big hug before heading back to Kane. These guys were second and third in a long, long line. If you didn't get a chance to see Santa Friday, you can drop off your letters to him at the Main Street Mercantile and he'll read them on 1490 WESB! And, personally, I'm thrilled that Santa remembered my name because I'm on the Nice List!

Characters from Beacon Light's Santa House were part of the 3rd Annual Cruisin' into Christmas Parade Friday in Downtown Bradford. Felicia Lively Munday sing's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" on the Burgers & Barbecue float. This little beagle from the McKean County SPCA is all decked out for the holidays -- and could use a good home. The Pitt-Bradford cheerleaders are full of all kinds of holiday spirit. Street Dreams Car Club President Gary Hoy, and his lovely wife Candy, tossed out candy to the kids ... ...as did our own Stefan Arlington

The Cruisin’ into Christmas Parade starts at 5:30 tonight in Downtown Bradford – and Santa will be making his first appearance of the season during the parade. After the parade Santa himself will be setting up the mailbox where kids can drop off their letters to him to be read on WESB’s Santa’s Mailbag show. Santa will be setting up inside the Main Street Mercantile at its new location – 45 Main Street.

The Main Street Mercantile is set to open today at its new location at 45 Main Street in downtown Bradford, and Santa Claus will visit the store following the Cruisin' Into Christmas parade on Friday. The Mercantile was recently acquired by local developer, Todd Hennard, and is operated as a small business incubator program. Incubator programs help businesses grow and develop without business owners taking on the full responsibility of a small business operation. The Mercantile currently houses more that 60 individual businesses that offer such items as antiques, artwork, photography, home décor, primitive décor, old fashioned candy, jewelry, floral arrangements and candles. Additionally a book store is set to be opened soon on the second floor of the building. As part of the Cruisin’ Into Christmas parade on Friday, November 18, Santa Claus will make a special visit to the Mercantile, which will be open until 7 p.m. The Mercantile began more than six years ago. It was initiated ...

If your kids want to know exactly where Santa is, they can find out by using the NORAD Santa Tracker .

Dozens and dozens of web domain names have been registered in the name of Santa Claus, offering children and their parents a wide range of opportunities to e-mail, watch or track St. Nick. Before children are allowed to share personal information for a “Letter to Santa” or create a personal message from a web site, the Better Business Bureau and Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU) recommend that adults carefully review the site to determine who is seeking the information, how it will be used and whether it will be shared with third parties. “Parents looking to add a wide-eyed experience for their child could be surprised by the trouble they cause for themselves if they enter personal information on the wrong holiday site,” said David Polino, Better Business Bureau President. “Parents should know that even Santa is required to protect personal information and comply with the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.” The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act req...

The Old Fashioned Christmas is scheduled for Saturday, December 11th from Noon until 3 p.m. in Downtown Bradford. Activities throughout the afternoon will include free horse drawn carriage rides beginning in front of PNC Bank and a visit from Santa Claus at the Main Street Mercantile. Families are encouraged to shop locally and relax from the hustle and bustle of a busy time of year. Merchants within the historic district will be showcasing unique holiday gifts and specials. Shoppers can visit downtown Bradford in the coming weeks and shop for unique and special gifts, ready wrapped gifts, gift cards and gift baskets. Gift wrapping and special discounts will be featured in many of the stores. There will be free parking in downtown Bradford and extended shopping hours at a variety of merchants from now until Christmas.

Santa Claus makes an appearance in Bradford's 2nd Annual Home for the Holidays Parade, sponsored by the Downtown Bradford Business District Authority and the Street Dreams Car Club. More video and pictures coming soon.

Santa took time out of his very busy schedule to visit his friends at ARG. He wanted to make sure they knew they were on the nice list. (L-R) Susie Lerch, Yvonne Cattoni, Santa Claus, Kay Soble, and Devon Hayden. ( Photo courtesy of American Refining Group )

Merry Christmas!