Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Big Brothers Big Sisters of McKean County would like to thank the businesses and individuals who participated and donated in Bowl For Kids’ Sake 2013. Bowl For Kids’ Sake is our largest annual fundraiser that took place on March 23, 2013 at Byllye Lanes in Bradford. Funds raised will support ongoing professional match support for one on one matches between adult volunteers and youth in need of an additional positive adult role model throughout McKean County. Big Brothers Big Sisters is an evidence-based mentoring program shown to prevent substance abuse and anti-social behavior among youth. Served youth show significant improvements in school attendance, academic performance, involvement with positive school and community activities, self-esteem, interpersonal and problem solving skills, and future planning and goal setting. Served youth are also much more likely to develop friendships with positive peers and have improved relationships with family members. It costs approximately $1,...

Thank you to all the businesses, family and friends that made the Lisa Walker Rock and Bowl Benefit on Dec 1 a great success. Thank you to Grant Nichols for the great write up in the Bradford Journal, too. I think the three seniors from Bradford Area High did a terrific job for their senior project. This includes Dallas Nicastro, Nate Franco and Steve Brooks. Let's not forget (Mom) Sue Nicastro for taking the boys all around to gather up the auction items. ~~Marie Shugars

A contingent from WESB and The Hero participated in the anuual Bowl for Kids Sake Saturday at Byllye Lanes. Above, Igor celebrates his strike. Below, The Chicken Dance and (not pictured) The Limbo were also part of the fun. Igor, in his signature red cape, got a prize from Big Brothers/Big Sisters for being a Hero for the agency. Pictured with Igor are Erin Vassallo and Annie Wolfe of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A total of $16,711 in funding to support mentoring in McKean County was raised by bowlers and local businesses during the 2011 Bowl for Kids’ Sake event, held April 2, 2011 at Byllye Lanes in Bradford. 181 people bowled during the event, which is held annually to raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of McKean County. Funds are used to support local matched pairs, children waiting to be matched, and for program promotion and development. Many ‘veteran’ teams returned to bowl in support of the program and there were also many new teams who came to the event to raise money for a good cause. Children and Youth Services of McKean County brought eight teams consisting of staff, youth, and participants in the Independent Living Program. The group was led by Breanne Abbott, Independent Living supervisor, and assisted by members of Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Participants donned bright orange T-shirts, and showed off their team s...

A fundraiser for Hunter's Hope at Byllye Lanes and the Free Family Film Fest were a couple activities keeping people busy -- and inside -- on Saturday. Buffalo Jills cheerleader Bri Pedine (center) takes time to pose with the organizers of the Hunter's Hope fundraiser, Katherine Moyer and Erika Bacha. Bri also talked with some of the bowlers, including Harry Solarek. It's only a party if you dance to "Y-M-C-A," right? Megan Hillard is all smiles after rolling a strike. These two young bowlers were thrilled with their door prizes. Below, Bradford City Firefighters Greg Lewis and Cathy Mealy greet a couple of young movie goers during the Free Family Film Fest Saturday morning. The movie was "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and the pre-movie talk about about Freedom of Speech. This Saturday's movie is "Nanny McPhee Returns" and the guests will be Betty Jo Wilcox and Lee Sizemore from Strengthening Families.

Better late than never -- here are some First Night pictures: These skaters practice their skills at the Callahan Park Ice Rink ... while these people start rolling in the new year at Byllye Lanes. The ever-popular First Night Art Show included pieces by Rick Minard, Nancy Crissman, Dee Smith, Rocky Holland, Jesse Nuzzo, Wade Aiken, Cassie Brandow, Nancy Pascarella and more.

There was some clowning around ... and some serious racing ... at the 3rd Annual Bradford Mastercraft All-American Soap Box Derby Saturday on Dorothy Lane. Hot dogs and meatball sandwiches were popular with some fans, while others preferred candy from the clown. This young lady can't believe he wants to charge $3 for Airheads. One of the young men reminded her, though, "He's kidding. He's a clown." On to the racing, and the prizes. Some people think it's not racing if there's not a wreck. Luckily, no one got hurt in this one. And the winners ... Mckenzie Smith, stock Janelle Housler, super stock

The American Cancer Society's annual Barstool Open is from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday It's $60 for a four-person team. Lots of prizes are up for grabs including lowest score, highest score and best-dressed. You can buy 50/50 tickets at any of the participating bars, who will have food and drink specials all day. Relay for Life teams will also have raffles for a vareity of items. Call (814) 368-3646 to register, or register at any of the following bars: The Roadhouse Jose's The Corner Bar The Eages VFW Lewie's Lounge Players The Moose Byllye Lanes Marsh's Viola's New City Line Italian Club JJ's The New Keystone The Lighter Side Fran Stewart of the Cancer Society was on The Morning Buzz today. Listen here .

The Bradford Mastercraft All-American Soap Box Derby is organizing for this year's races, starting with at informational meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Byllye Lanes. They're looking for volunteers and drivers to participate in this year's Soap Box Derby. If you're interested, please attend. That's Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Byllye Lanes in Bradford.

Last night at Byllye Lanes, 19-year-old Justin Feldman rolled an 806. Last Saturday, he had an 810. That's the first time anyone at Byllye Lanes has had two 800 series in less than a week. Updated on March 6 -- Bradford Bowling Legend Bruce Therminy says that's the first time a person has had two 800 series' in one bowling season!

The Official "Uncle" of the Drillers, Frank Williams, joined the fun at the fundraiser for the Bradford Drillers Youth Baseball Club at Byllye Lanes Saturday. You can become a fan of the Drillers, too. Just go to Facebook . ( Photo courtesy of Barry Bacha )

Ashley Howe of Greensburg, center, talks about being the top female high school bowler in the state. Also pictured are Steve Feldman of Byllye Lane, Ashley's step-father Tony Yorio and Frank Williams. After stopping by the studio for The Byllye Lanes Bowling Show, Ashley headed out to Byllye Lanes, where she'll be until around 2 o'clock this afternoon. For everything you always wanted to know about Byllye Lanes, go to Byllye Lanes.net .

The annual McKean County Special Olympics Bowling Tournament was held on Sunday, October 25, at Byllye Lanes in Bradford, with over 100 special athletes competing. Capturing gold medals were Jay Furman, Charles Bradt, Nick Battles, Jon Palmquist, Rebecca Buccolini, Tracy Carson, Kim Langworthy, Jackie Wolfe, Peg Sitarchuk, Bob Clawson, Henry Keller, Sheridan Phillips, Jim Carlson, Dexter Rankin, Mike Walter, Matt Scott, Charlie Barr, Jon Seitz, Kim Daniels, Jalisa Daniels, Mike Frost, Roger Jacoby, Joe Sostakowski, Glenn Lee, Roger Austin, Gary Stewart, Fred Stewart, Glenn Carr, Lenny Hummel, George Weeks, Ashley Peterson, Janet Pressler, Anna Smith, Joe Lee, David Rose and Joe Torrey. Silver medal winners were Margot Abbott, Margie Laubham, Milo Cline, Carol Bryan, David Winters, Mike Monti, Marty Cline, Rocco Vavalo, John Currie, Tom Day, Lisa Williams, David Wolford, Margie Kibby, Amber Mays, George Burton, Julie Boyle, Jon Farnham, Bill Whitney, Lenny Kribbs, Chris Lathrop, Eric Ba...

Scott Douglas talks with Mandi Wilton Davis and Kelly Zurat Case during the United Way of the Bradford Area Tailgate Party Sunday at Byllye Lanes. The party was inside (at Lane 25) and outside. Inside, people watched the Steelers beat the Browns, the Bills beat the Jets and other games. Outside, partygoers enjoyed the blue skies and sunshine while playing the football toss game participating in the cornhole tournament and listening to the games on 1490 WESB and 100.1 The HERO. Don Fredeen and Mandi Davis (She's there. Really.) try their hands at tossing bean bags ... ... while Mark Davis tries his hand at the football toss as Steve Cotillion and Scott Douglas look on.

Mike Butler for rolling a perfect game at Byllye Lanes!

Scott Douglas will be broadcasting LIVE on 100.1 The HERO from noon to 2:30 p.m. For tickets, contact The United Way or Byllye Lanes.