Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

St. Bernard School placed third overall in the Western New York Scholastic Chess Championships on Saturday in the K-8 section. The event was directed by Tom Warner at the Pioneer High School in Yorkshire. The St. Bernard students were in grades 3-5, and younger than most of their competitors. Coach Buchheit said, “I’m proud of the kids. They performed very well against the older students.” Cadence Panol led the team with only one loss. Other teammates included Alex and Andy Mangold, who each won three games, Jessie Kerr, Tim Mulcahy, and Gregory Tyler. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

According to the entry in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess  “Chess is a recognized sport of the International Olympic Committee…” In Bradford the sport of chess is off to a great start as the 23rd annual Bradford Businessmen’s Chess League kicked off on Wednesday evening. Each team will face every other team in its division during the season, which runs through March 12th and pits the best players against each other. At the end of first round action at School Street Elementary, Hennard’s Construction is in first place in the varsity division. In the junior varsity division, Burns & Burns, Ed Shults Toyota, Eschrich Construction, and Lang Surveying are all undefeated and tied for first place. For additional information about the league, visit http://bradfordchessclub.org/  or email the club at execdir@amchess.org . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Do you like to play games? If you enjoy games, you’ll love chess! To learn how to play or to improve your play, visit the Bradford Knights’ Chess Club on Wednesday, October 2 at 6:30 PM at School Street Elementary. Players may register at the door. The club meets in the School Street Elementary cafeteria each Wednesday from 6:30 - 8:15 PM. All students in grades 3-12 are invited to join the scholastic chess program. The introductory program is scheduled for 5 weeks from October 2 through October 30. The Bradford Businessmen’s Chess League will begin November 6 and run through March 12. Many activities are scheduled, including pizza parties, matches, and tournaments. Research continues to confirm the educational value that chess instruction has on cognitive development, critical thinking skills, and academic subjects. There is a fee. For additional information about joining the club or the educational benefits of chess, please visit our website at http://bradfordchessclub.org/ ...

Do you like to play games? If you enjoy games, you’ll love chess! To learn how to play or to improve your play, visit the Bradford Knights’ Chess Club on Wednesday, October 5 at 6:30 PM at School Street Elementary. Players may register at the door. The club meets in the School Street Elementary cafeteria each Wednesday from 6:30 - 8:15 PM. All students in grades 3-12 are invited to join the scholastic chess program. The introductory program is scheduled for 4-weeks from October 5 through October 26. The Bradford Businessmen’s Chess League will begin November 2 and run through March 7. Many activities are scheduled, including pizza parties, matches, and tournaments. Research continues to confirm the educational value that chess instruction has on cognitive development, critical thinking skills, and academic subjects. There is a fee. For additional information about joining the club or the educational benefits of chess, please contact execdir@amchess.org .

Pioneer Central Schools earned top team honors defeating Bradford by just half a point in the Western NY Scholastic Championship held at the Hornell High School over the weekend. All of Pioneer’s players were fifth and sixth graders whereas Bradford’s team consisted of second and third graders: Danny Fedak, Nate Evan, and Jacob and Jessica Yost. Danny Fedak won the third place individual trophy on tiebreaks. Coach Ferguson predicts that Bradford’s younger team should prove difficult to beat in future years. Pioneer also took top honors in the junior-senior high section. Buffalo finished second, while Hornell and Bath tied for third. Bradford did not take a junior-senior high team. Tied for third place team were Buffalo and Scio Central Schools. Other participating schools included Olean, Bath, and Hornell. Pictured, top, from left to right are first place individual Sam Tillinghast from Pioneer, second place individual James Miles from Buffalo, and third place individual Danny Feda...

Bradford finished fifth place out of nearly 40 different schools that competed in the Pennsylvania State Scholastic Primary Championships. Other schools earning top honors at the championships included the Philadelphia School in first, Friends Select School in second, Rudolph Blankenburg Elementary School in third position, and Providence Heights Alpha School in fourth. Garnering top awards for Bradford were Danny Fedak and Jessica Yost. Rounding out the team were Jacob Yost and Caleb Garges. Participating in the K-6 section of the championships was Rayelle Nelling, who lost only one game. Top individuals in the primary section of the championships included Akshita Gorti, second grader Torin Kuelhnle, and third grader Kevin Zhou with a peak rating of 1539. The annual Pennsylvania State Scholastic Championships were held from March 5-7 at the Hotel Carlisle & Embers Convention Center in Carlisle, PA. Pictured, from left, Jacob Yost, Danny Fedak, Jessica Yost, and Caleb Garges ...

In round thirteen of the chess league at School Street Elementary, the chessboard battles continued with more upsets. Dr. Laroche annihilated Dexter’s Service Center to share fist. The Pharmacy at Union Square shutout Wal-Mart, the league leader for 9 rounds in the varsity division. With the competition heating up towards the end of the season, there is now a three-way tie for first: the Pharmacy at Union Square, Dr. Laroche, and Dexter’s Service Center. Greg Henry (captain of the Pharmacy) and Mike Jones, captain for Dr. Gonzalez, are tied for top individual. Tamara Ferguson (captain for Smith’s) is a half point behind in second. In the JV section, Smith’s Watch & Clock Repair took over first place when Tasta Pizza lost their match. Drs. Rhinehart Team is in second, and Tasta Pizza is one point behind in third. Brent Kennedy (captain for Smith’s Watch & Clock Repair) leads the pack for top individual followed by Mitchell Forbes, captain for Hamlin Bank, in second. Jessica Y...

The first place family in the Family Fun Chess Tournament was the Yost family with Jessica and Jacob as top scorers. They also tied for second place individuals. The second place family, scoring just one point behind the Yost family in the event, was the Nelling family. Top scorers were Ray and Rayelle Nelling. In addition, Ray tied for 2nd place individual along with the Yosts and Leah Swineford. The Wedge family and the Swineford family tied for 3rd place family. Justin, Kyle, and Katie Wedge had identical scores and won third place honors on tie breaks, leaving Dr. Dennis and Leah Swineford to finish 4th. In fifth place, were Mr. Rhett Kennedy and sons Brent and Hugh. Top individual winner was Ron Buchheit. Jacob Yost claimed the top grade 8 & under trophy, and his sister Jessica took the 5th grade & under on tiebreaks. The Family Fun Chess Tournament was held on Saturday, February 20th at the First United Methodist Church in Bradford. The tournament was organized a...

There will be a 4-round chess tournament on Saturday, February 20 [12:30 PM – 5:30 PM]. The tournament will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 23 Chambers St, Bradford, PA. Please enter through the Bradford Area Christian Academy entrance. This is both a team and individual tournament. The top two participants on the team will count for the team score. A team consists of one adult [father, mother, grandfather, uncle, brother over 18, etc.] and one or more children in the same family. If there is no adult family member available to play, the children may play as individuals or select another adult rated under 1600. No players rated above 1599 may play in this event. There is a nominal entry fee to help defray the cost for awards. Please bring a chess set and board.

In round eleven within the varsity division of the chess league at School Street Elementary, Dr. Laroche trounced Wal-Mart allowing Dexter’s Service Center to advance to tie for first. There is now a three-way tie for second: the Pharmacy at Union Square, Parkview Super Market, and Smith’s Fine Jewelry. Tamara Ferguson (captain for Smith’s) and Greg Henry (captain of the Pharmacy) drew their match advancing Mike Jones to top individual. In the JV section, long time league leader Lang Surveying lost its match to fall back to fourth place. Smith’s Watch & Clock Repair and Tasta Pizza advanced to tie for first team. Drs. Rhinehart Team is only a point behind in second, with Edmond Chevrolet and Lang Surveying just half a point behind. Brent Kennedy (captain for Smith’s Watch & Clock Repair) leads the pack for top individual followed by Mitchell Forbes, captain for Hamlin Bank, in second. Jessica Yost (member of Drs. Rhinehart team) and Nate Evan, a member of the Edmond Chevrole...

In round ten of the chess league at School Street Elementary, the hot streak continued for Wal-Mart in the varsity division as they gained a half point advantage to claim first place. Dexter’s Service Center holds second and the Pharmacy at Union Square is in third just a half point behind Dexter’s. Three remain tied for first: Tamara Ferguson, Mike Jones, and Greg Henry. In the JV section, Lang Surveying continues to dominate first place. Drs. Rhinehart and Tasta Pizza are only half a point behind in second, with Edmond Chevrolet fast closing the gap. Brent Kennedy (captain for Smith’s Watch & Clock Repair) has taken over top honors while Jessica Yost (6-year old member of Drs. Rhinehart team) and Nate Evan, a member of the Edmond Chevrolet Team, are now tied for second place. Mitchell Forbes, captain for Hamlin Bank, advanced to third. Results and Standings after round 10: Varsity Division The Pharmacy at Union Square triumphed over Bradford Window Co.; Dexter’s Se...

After the seventh round of play at School Street Elementary, four out of the eight teams are now tied for top honors in the varsity division: Smith’s Fine Jewelry, Wal-Mart, Parkview Super Market, and Dexter’s Service Center. Only half a point behind is the Pharmacy at Union Square. Five of the eight team captains in the varsity still have perfect scores. In the JV section, Jessica Yost (6-year old member of Drs. Rhinehart team) is still in first place. Brent Kennedy (captain for Smith’s Watch & Clock Repair) is in second. Seth Nelling, member of the Lang Surveying Team, is a half point behind in third. The top JV team at the end of round 7 is Lang Surveying followed closely by Drs. Rhinehart in second, and Smith’s Watch & Clock Repair and Dragonfly Guitar Studio tied for third. Round 8 in league competition is scheduled for Wednesday, January 20. For additional information about the league, email execdir@amchess.org or visit www.bradfordchessclub.com. Results and Standin...

After the fifth round of play at School Street Elementary, Wal-Mart is in first place. Only half a point behind in second are Pharmacy at Union Square and Dexter’s Service Center. Five of the eight team captains in the varsity remain with perfect scores. In the JV section, Jessica Yost (member of Drs. Rhinehart team) is in first place. A half point behind in second is Brent Kennedy (captain for Smith’s Watch & Clock Repair). Nate Evan, a member of the Edmond Chevrolet Team, is in third place. The top JV team at the end of round 5 is Lang Surveying followed closely by Smith’s Watch & Clock Repair and Dragonfly Guitar Studio. There will be no chess club over the holiday break. Matches will continue on Wednesday, January 6. For additional information about the league, email execdir@amchess.org or visit www.bradfordchessclub.com. Results and Standings after round 5: Varsity Division Dr. Laroche defeated Bradford Window Company, 1.5-0.5; Parkview Super Market tied with the Pharmacy ...

After the fourth round of play at School Street Elementary, there is a three-way tie for first place among the varsity teams: The Pharmacy at Union Square, Wal-Mart, and Dexter’s Service Center. Five out of the eight team captains in the varsity remain with perfect scores. In the JV section, Brent Kennedy (captain for Smith’s Watch & Clock Repair) lost to Justin Wedge (captain for Northwest Savings Bank) to be bumped from first place. Jessica Yost (member of Drs. Rhinehart team) has now taken the lead followed by Nate Evan, a member of the Edmond Chevrolet Team, and Brent Kennedy who are tied for second. The top JV team at the end of round 4 is Lang Surveying followed closely by Hayden Auto Detailing. Matches will continue on Wednesday, December 16. For additional information about the league, email execdir@amchess.org or visit www.bradfordchessclub.com . Results and Standings after round 4: Varsity Division Dr. Gonzalez defeated Bradford Window Company by ½ a point; Smith’s Fine...

The 19th annual Bradford Businessmen’s Chess League competition is underway. There are a total of 18 teams in two divisions. There are 8 teams in the varsity section and 10 teams in the junior varsity. Each team will face every other team in its division during the season, which runs through March 17th and pits the best players against each other. At the end of first round action at School Street Elementary, the Wal-Mart Supercenter Team is in first place in the varsity division. In the junior varsity division, Lang Surveying is in first. Judging from the first round results, the teams appear to be very evenly matched. Time will tell which teams have the most competitive drive. For information about the league, contact Robert Ferguson at excedir@amchess.org or visit the club's website at www.bradfordchessclub.com/ . Standings after round 1: Varsity Division Wal-Mart Supercenter 1.5 Dexter’s Service Center 1 Dr. Gonzalez 1 Dr. Laroche 1 Parkview Super Market 1 Pharmacy at Union Squa...

School Street Elementary students finished second overall at the Genesee Valley Central School in Belmont on Saturday, November 7. Pioneer Central School District managed a ½ point win over Bradford in the final round to claim first. Top scorers for the Bradford elementary team were Rayelle Nelling, who along with Danny Fedak tied for second place overall, Brent Kennedy, Katie Wedge, and Jacob Yost. Other members of the Bradford team included Seth Nelling and Jess Yost. The Enterprise Charter School from Buffalo finished in third. Pioneer also took first place in the 7-12 division. Bradford was unable to field a full team; however, the Wedge brothers, Justin and Kyle, put up a strong fight and finished in fifth place. In other chess news, Wednesday, November 11 will mark the beginning of the 19th annual Bradford Businessmen’s Chess League. The sponsoring businesses this year include: Bradford Window Company, Hayden Auto Detailing, Dexter’s Service Center, Dragonfly Guitar Studio, Dr. G...