Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Bradford City Council on Tuesday honored Judge Chris Hauser, who is leaving his position as chairman of the Downtown Bradford Redevelopment Corporation. Under his leadership, the DBRC established the Main Street Mercantile, renovated the Main Street Movie House and other key buildings in the Downtown Historic District, and returned them to private ownership. Hauser had been chairman of the DBRC since its inception. He stepped down after being elected judge in the McKean County Court of Common Pleas. Also Tuesday, council approved a change order for the new fire truck for the city fire department. Councilman Rhett Kennedy explained that the truck is necessary because the one it’s replacing is more than 30 years old. The next “newest” truck is 16 years old, he said, adding that the normal life of a fire truck is 10 years. Mayor Tom Riel added that without up-to-date equipment the department may not be eligible for grant money. The total coast of the truck and equipment is “not to ...

Futures Rehabilitation Center, Inc. held its annual meeting at the Center on Dec. 11 during which time board members reviewed the Agency’s 2011/2012 fiscal year operations. During the meeting, several board members were reappointed to serve three-year terms beginning January 2013. Those included, Sara Andrews, Susan Evans, Nancy Leonard, Katharine Pude and George Duke. Officers for the coming year are: Ron Orris, chairman; Richard Johnson, vice chairman; Marcia Avey, treasurer; Ross Neidich, secretary and Robert Esch, past chairman. Management team members gave a power point presentation to the board on their service areas. President and CEO William Leven provided an overview of the Agency along with program and fiscal results for the last fiscal year. The agency’s annual report, detailing program and financial results of the fiscal year was distributed to the board of directors. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

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...

The Olean-Bradford Area YMCA held its Community Appreciation Luncheon today at the Premier Banquet Center. Keynote speakers were Greg Booth, president and CEO of Zippo Manufacturing Co. and W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery, and Sister Margaret Carney, president of St. Bonaventure University. Pictured, from left, are Anita Schmidt, Olean Branch Board Member, Sister Margaret, Booth, and Bill Leven, Olean-Bradford Area YMCA Board Chair. YMCA photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The inaugural named fund at Futures Rehabilitation Center was the highlight of the Donor Recognition Event Thursday night at the Center. The Mary M. Rae Fund was established by Bill Rae to honor and recognize his mother’s life work and to continue his mother’s legacy for years to come within Futures Endowment Trust. Mary Rae was instrumental in the establishment of the Futures Endowment Trust and was present to accept the honor. Futures President/CEO Bill Leven said “The response to the Mary M. Rae fund has been overwhelming. I am pleased to announce that the fund has grown to over $35,000.” Proceeds from the Mary M. Rae Fund support Futures’ services to over 200 adults and students with disabilities. Vocational training, activity services, extended employment and school-to-work transition services are offered at Futures facilities and at community-based sites. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

OLEAN, NY – The Olean-Bradford Area YMCA announces the selection of Jeff Alevy as the new President/CEO. Jeff comes to Olean-Bradford from the Metro Atlanta YMCA where he most recently was Executive Director of the Summit Family and the Fayette Outdoor branches. He brings 13 years of YMCA experience to his position as President/CEO. Jeff began his YMCA career in 1998 as a Program Director at the Arthur Blank Family YMCA (Metro Atlanta YMCA). Jeff became a Branch Executive Director in 2001 at the Henry County YMCA (Metro Atlanta YMCA) and in 2009 was recruited to the Summit Family and Fayette Outdoor YMCA to strengthen and oversee those two branches of the Metro Atlanta YMCA operating 14 miles apart. Prior to his YMCA career, Jeff had several years of business experience as a partner in a private renovations company. He holds a MBA degree from Barry University in Miami, FL and a Masters of Education degree from Georgia College and State University. The Search committee of the Olean-Brad...

Rick Benton and the Kiwanis Club of Bradford are this year’s recipients of the George G. Blaisdell YMCA Community Service Award. The awards will be presented during the 2010 Bradford Community Awards Breakfast on June 8 at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Also during the breakfast, five high school students will be presented with the Ray C. Uhler YMCA Outstanding Youth Award. They are Rachel Britton of Bradford Area High School, Russel Marold of Kane Area High School, Cody Baxter of Otto-Eldred High School, Jonathan Binder of Port Allegany High School and Danielle Nielson of Smethport Area Junior-Senior High School. The YMCA Volunteer of the Year Award will be presented to Bill Leven.