Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

BCPAC is bring the sounds of Billy Joel -- and others -- to town at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Bradford Area High School with Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot. Billy Joel himself has said, “they had a hard time convincing me that it wasn’t me.” Earlier this year, BCPAC executive director David Fillenwarth and board president Shane Oschman had the fortune of seeing this band live in New York City. “There was no way I was going to let Dave keep his job if he didn’t book this band,” Oschman joked. “Bradford is in for a treat ... this is Billy Joel’s Band … and Mike’s vocals are dead on. Close your eyes and you’ll swear its Billy Joel.” “Nobody is going to walk away from this show disappointed. I’m proud to have the opportunity to bring these musicians to Bradford.” Fillenwarth added. “This show is one that you don’t want to miss.” Tickets are priced at $38 each and will be available for season subscribers in July, and for the general public on Aug. 3. Additional information will be fo...

While most of the lead roles are already cast for “Jesus Christ Superstar,” actors are being sought for three crowd scenes and a few more dancers are also being sought. Shane Oschman, co-director of the Oct. 10-12 opener for Bradford Little Theatre’s 18th season, said another round of auditions will be held Tuesday, August 25 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the 79 Main Street theater office. Also, anyone unable to make these tryouts can contact Shane Oschman at 814-331-3124. “The rehearsal schedule for the three crowd scenes will be just one night a week until the final two weeks before show,” said Oschman. In particular, those scenes are the “Hosanna” entry into Jerusalem, “Jesus and Pilate” and the crucifixion scene. Singing experience, nor formal dance training, is not required for the crowd scenes. Although, choreographer Bridgette Martin is also seeking fifteen talented dancers to add to the cast. “I am looking for some dance experience and not necessarily professional dancers.” Marti...

Floyd C. Fretz Middle School students actually gave history lessons as they portrayed presidents of the United States before Monday's school board meeting. Teacher Jan Russell worked closely with the students to create their roles. Pictured, Floyd C. Fretz Middle School principal Dara Signor listens to President John F. Kennedy (Donny Pattison); school board president Paul Ridley listens to Franklin D. Roosevelt (Makenzee Maley); and school board member Shane Oschman listens to Harry S. Truman (Collin Haskins). The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Kiwanis Club of Bradford has pledged $10,000 to the Ashley Booth Griffin CARE for Children Center, continuing its collaborative efforts with the organization to support early learning and literacy initiatives. The contribution will fund a child-friendly reading area in the preschool classroom in the new facility, which will include a reading loft and an age-appropriate library. Members of Kiwanis, visited students at Rainbow Corner’s Preschool Fun Camp on Tuesday, taking some time to read to the kids, as well as present CARE with payment for half of the campaign pledge. Pictured are preschool campers Jake Whitlow and Ianna Schoonover with Kiwanis Board Members Gene Carll and Kathy Durner, and President Shane Oschman. Whitlow, 3, is the son of Jay and Krista Whitlow of Lewis Run. Schoonover, 3, is the daughter of Kari Schoonover of Limestone, NY. Photo provided by CARE for Children The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

By SANDRA RHODES When Mark Doolittle attends his 30th high school class reunion Saturday night, the 1982 Bradford Area High School graduate, along with two classmates, will have a little something special to brag about - like taking part in a sprint triathlon that morning. Doolittle, joined by Chris Wilson Minich and her twin brother Chuck Wilson, are participating as a team and the seventh annual Willow Creek Triathlon on Saturday. Proceeds from the triathlon benefit the transportation fund for the Disabled American Veterans of McKean and Warren counties. For Doolittle, who is traveling from Indianapolis, Ind., for Saturday's events, the triathlon takes on special meeting. Doolittle himself is 60 percent disabled. A veteran of both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army, Doolittle was injured as a result of an accident involving "friendly fire" when a fellow soldier fell asleep at the wheel and ran him over. This left him a three rods inside his right ankle plus a plate and 14 scre...

Those interested in participating in this year’s Willow Creek Triathlon should sprint to register as there is a cap on participants this year. This year’s triathlon, slated for Saturday, Aug. 4, will be capped at 400 participants. In the past, there has been no limit to the number of people who could participate in this sprint triathlon, which benefits the Disabled American Veterans of McKean and Warren counties. Race director Shane Oschman explained this move was made to ensure the safety of all those involved – participants, committee and onlookers. This number will also help in the efficiency for transportation of participants and getting their belongings from one place to another. Those interested in participating are encouraged to register soon since there is no guarantee there will be openings the day of the event. The triathlon, open for teams and individuals, starts with 300-yard swim beginning at Quaker Lake in Allegany State Park, N.Y., a 15-mile bike ride to Giordano’s New C...

In case you missed today's LiveLine with the director and some of the cast members of Bradford Little Theatre's "Twelve Angry Men," you can listen here . We had a very interesting conversation about juries, the law, human nature, psychology and, of course, theater. Enjoy! The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Director Cindy Matteson has announced that casting is complete and rehearsals are underway for “Twelve Angry Men,” the second production of Bradford Little Theatre’s “Fun, Furious Fifteen” season. The Emmy Award-winning story by Reginald Rose, adapted for the stage by Sherman Sergel, takes the audience into the jury deliberations of what appears to be an open-and-shut case of murder. The play is a period piece from the 1950s; it lasts about 80 minutes and will have no intermission. The drama will be performed at the auditorium of the First Presbyterian Church, 54 E. Corydon St., Bradford, on Friday and Saturday, February 3 and 4, at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5. “Fourteen talented men from around the region will bring this drama – one of my personal favorites – to life,” said Matteson, a BLT board member and veteran director of both Otto-Eldred Junior-Senior High School and BLT productions. “Many of us held our breath this year awaiting the verdicts in ...

By SANDRA RHODES The Sixth Annual Willow Creek Triathlon is one for the record books. There was a record number of participants as well as a record number of dollars donated to the Disabled American Veterans of McKean and Warren counties. The pouring rain did not dampen the spirits of the participants in Saturday's triathlon. More than 360 - over 100 more people than last year - either swam, rode a bicycle or ran - or did all three. But the number that really counted - $22,192.57, the amount donated to the DAV - dwarfed last year's amount of just over $11,000. The money goes towards funding the transportation network for veterans, which ensures veterans transportation to and from appointments at VA hospitals and clinics. Dan Pierce and Sandy Trocki, overall male and female winners, were awarded the Master Sgt. Thom Maholic Award. Maholic, a Bradford native, died in 2006 while fighting with the Special Forces in Afghanistan. The awards are custom made knives from W.R. Case &...

By SANDRA RHODES The Willow Creek Triathlon has been a family affair for the Confer family since the event started six years ago. And this year is no different. The family patriarch, Wade Confer, leads the charge into the event, which will be held on Saturday, Aug. 6. The sprint triathlon starts with a 300-yard swim in Quaker Lake in Allegany State Park, N.Y., followed by a 15-mile bicycle ride on Route 280, which turns into Route 346, to the Corydon Hotel. A three-mile run to the Willows Restaurant finishes the race. Confer, 77, will be part of a team with 17-year-old granddaughter Rachel and 8-year-old grandson, Ethan Varner. Rachel will swim while Confer will do the bike portion with Ethan doing the running. They hope to channel some luck off the team’s name - 7-17-77 – after the ages of all the participants. While Ethan is currently 8, he was 7 years old when the team was conceived. And they are not the only family members participating. Rachel’s 15-year-old sister Ann is competing...

Story and Photos by Sandra Rhodes The winner of the Willow Creek Triathlon may have finished the race in less than an hour, but the effects of this annual event will be felt for a long time to come. Saturday’s triathlon amassed the largest number of participants to date as well as more than $11,000 for the Disabled American Veterans of McKean and Warren counties. There were 255 participants – 104 more than last year – who swam, bicycled and ran to help to help the transportation network for veterans, which ensures veterans transportation to and from appointments at VA hospitals and clinics. In the end, the combined efforts of the participants and sponsors – as well as a group of girls who sold lemonade and donated their profits to the triathlon – raised $11,090.63 – 23 percent more than last year. “We are very grateful for all the participants and sponsors that made this happen,” said race director Shane Oschman. “And we are equally ecstatic to be able to give this check to the DAV for...

By SANDRA RHODES If competition breeds success then there are already many winners in the Willow Creek Triathlon. The obvious winners in the Fifth Annual Willow Creek Triathlon, set for Aug. 7, may be determined by those who benefit from the race – the Disabled American Veterans of McKean and Warren counties. There are also the participants who strive to better themselves as well as bring out a little competitive side, pitting friend against friend, family member against family member. Participants swim for 300 yards in Quaker Lake in Allegany State Park, bicycle 15 miles to Giordano’s Corydon Hotel and run three miles to The Willows Restaurant. Individuals can do all three events or be part of a team. One example of the competitive spirit is a group from the Bradford Kiwanis Club. The team of Karen Buchheit, Candy Tingley and Denise Bean will compete against Steve Cottillion, a fellow Kiwanian. Buchheit will swim, Tingley will bike and Bean will run. Although none were clear on how th...

Andrea Wurster and Shane Oschman rehearse a musical number for next weekend's 52nd Annual Kiwanis Kapers -- Legally Kapers. Tickets are available at all Northwest Savings Bank locations in Bradford, Graham Florist and Ott & McHenry Pharmacy. Shane was on Thursday's LiveLine talking about the show, and you can listen to that here .

Some people ran unopposed in Tuesday's election. McKean County Sheriff Brad Mason received 4,123 votes. Among the 33 write-in votes that were cast for the position were one for Elmer Fudd and one for Santa Claus. McKean County Judge John Pavlock, who was appointed to the bench shortly after he won the primary election, received 4,103 votes. There were 28 write-ins. Acting District Attorney Ray Learn garnered 3,863 votes. There were 18 write-ins. Lewis Run Mayor Albert Montecalvo got 64 votes. Smethport Mayor Ross Porter, who was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident last week, received 242 votes. Doug Caldwell received 285 votes for Kane Borough Mayor. There were 8 write-ins. As for the numbers in the contested elections, Dave Feely garnered more votes than the other Bradford Area School Board candidates with 1,688. Pat Vigliotta took in 1,642; Carla Manion 1,584; Joe Troutman 1,422, Shane Oschman 1,413; and Rita Dincher 862. Jim Evans received the most votes in the Bradfor...

Bradford will have two new city councilmen in January. Jim Evans and Fred Proper won seats on council, according to unofficial totals from the McKean County Board of Elections, while current councilman Rick Benton retained his seat. Democrat Bob Onuffer was voted out. As for Bradford Area School Board, Dave Feely is in and Rita Dincher is out. Pat Vigliotta, Joe Troutman and Carla Manion retained their seats. Shane Oschman, who has been filling the unexpired term of the Rev. Art Cox, also won a seat. In Eldred, Bill Luce seems to have defeated Steven Green for mayor. In the race for Port Allegany borough council, the apparent winners are Andrew Johnson, Francis Dynda, Judith Taylor and David Fair. In Lewis Run it's almost too close to call but it seems that Albert Montecalvo and Frank Langianese will be serving together again. Montecalvo was running unopposed for mayor, but Langianese was one of four people running for three seats on borough council. Steve Falconi got 60 votes. Lan...