Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

BY SANDRA RHODES The purchase of a Derby Gala ticket is a sure thing - an evening of fun, food and friends all to benefit a great cause. The Bradford Area Public Library’s Derby Gala is set for 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the Pennhills Club in Bradford. The Gala, in its fifth year, coincides with the running of the famous Kentucky Derby. Big screen TVs allow spectators to watch the “greatest two minutes in sports” as they root for their favorite horse, whether it be Overanalyze or Will Take Charge. It will be a lucky day for three of these people as cash prizes are awarded for win, place and show. And the winning doesn’t stop there. Ticketholders can actually parlay the cost of their ticket into a trip to Las Vegas to the casino. “Since the casino has been so popular in the past few years, we have expanded it to include more slot machines,” said Karen Costello-Pecht, co-chairwoman. “The best part of the casino is that you don’t have to pony up any of your own money. We give y...

The United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. announced today that the organization has reached 100% of its $330,000 goal. The local staff, campaign volunteers and board of directors are extremely grateful to the Bradford community. “We are so excited to have reached goal right before Christmas. Local community members, businesses, and corporations showed the true meaning of generosity during this campaign, stepping up to increase their pledges. This is a fantastic gift to the Bradford community and its agencies that rely on United Way funding,” says Cara Costik, Community Relations Specialist. Campaign goal was reached by a record date this year, although any donations received by January 5, 2012 will also count towards this year’s campaign. An announcement detailing the total amount raised will be available in early January for both the Bradford and Smethport campaigns. For questions regarding 2012-2013 Campaign: LIVE UNITED or to make a financial donation, please contact the ...

United Way of the Bradford Area has made its second thermometer posting of 2012-2013 Campaign: LIVE UNITED, announcing that the organization is currently at 30% of the $330,000 goal. “We’ve had a successful business solicitation period with 6 new business donors contributing to this campaign. The new support of those businesses along with 39 new individual donors is a testament to our community members who are invested our community’s future,” stated Executive Director, Megan Minich. Business Division Co-Chair Deb Huston added, “We are very pleased at reaching this milestone in our campaign; however, we need to keep the momentum going. The support of the entire community is essential to reaching our goal. I have come to know Bradford as a very warm and giving community and I am confident that we will succeed.” “United Way of the Bradford Area has also seen a positive response from the one-time mailing appealing to the Smethport area for donations,” stated Minich. “Our goal is to...

United Way of the Bradford Area’s 2012 appeal has officially begun, with a theme of “Live United.” Chairing this year’s campaign are Steve Cottillion of Northwest Savings Bank, Christine Minich of Zippo Manufacturing Company, and Karen Costello-Pecht of Control Chief Corporation. “With the community behind the United Way, we believe we can accomplish anything. Karen, Chris and I look forward to working with our wonderful and caring community to help everyone Live United!” said Cottillion. The annual campaign, which runs from August 15 through December 15, has a goal of securing pledges from the community through workplace campaigns and individual contributions that benefit the local United Way’s 18 affiliated agencies and 39 programs in the areas of education, income, health and rebuilding lives. The local staff and volunteers will spend the next four months soliciting the community, especially by the use of the workplace campaign presentations. Speakers from partner agencies are eager...

By SANDRA RHODES Given its track record, odds are the Derby Gala will deliver a night of fun for a great cause. This year's gala is set to start at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Pennhills Club. The Derby Gala, set to coincide with the running of the Kentucky Derby, benefits the Endowment Fund for the Bradford Area Public Library. "You will enjoy an evening of great food, wonderful company and exciting fun, said Karen Pecht, co-chairwoman of the event. This includes watching the Kentucky Derby on large-screen TVs, a hat parade and the auction of an exclusive Zippo lighter, which is actually a set of four lighters set together as a puzzle to depict a horse race scene. "Once again Zippo has gone above and beyond to support the BAPL Endowment Fund and this fund raiser ... every part of these lighters screams Kentucky Derby," Pecht said. Bides for the lighter set, which includes a framed autographed photograph of George Duke, owner of Zippo and chairman of the board, with the...

By SANDRA RHODES Odds are 4 to 1 that this year’s Derby Gala Zippo lighter auction item is going to be a big hit. The reason behind this is that the auction item will not be just one lighter, but four lighters, fit together like a puzzle, and sold as a set. This yearly auction item is donated to the cause by Zippo Manufacturing Co. Bids are now being accepted for the item and will continue until the live auction at the Derby Gala, which will be held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at the Pennhills Club. Proceeds from the annual Derby Gala benefit the Endowment Fund of the Bradford Area Public Library. This is the fifth piece the Bradford-based company has offered for auction to support the growth of the Endowment Fund. “I cannot express how thrilled we are that Zippo has donated this set, which not only brings the best of Zippo to the forefront, but also brings attention to the library, which offers so much for our community,” said Karen Pecht, co-chairwoman of the Gala. To say that the ...

You know spring is on its way when the time comes to grab your hat and head to the Derby Chapeau Tea. The tea, which benefits the Bradford Area Public Library's Endowment Fund, will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the library. This annual event is part of a "Triple Crown" of events centered around the Kentucky Derby and bring awareness to the library and all it offers. Karen Pecht and Ann Fesenmyer, co-chairwomen for the event, said this is a great time for people of all ages to come together and enjoy an afternoon of tea. For $15, people can feast on tea sandwiches, cookies and fresh fruit - as well as tea, of course. Conferences Services at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford is catering the tea. Music will be provided by a local violinist and those in attendance will have a chance to win five gift baskets. The committee is hopeful this is a chance for grandparents, parents and children celebrate this time together in this unique atmosphere where a public librar...

The United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. announced today the final results for its 2011 Campaign: Live United and Lend a Helping Hand. With a campaign goal of $325,000, organization officials announced the final amount raised at $328,730. “We are so proud and appreciative of the Bradford community for stepping in to achieve this goal,” says Executive Director Megan Minich. “We are ecstatic with the total raised during this campaign season. More importantly, we’re grateful for the amount of good these dollars can do and the lives we can change through our partner agencies with the money entrusted to us.” Board President Vonda Reese added that “We could not achieve this kind of success without the hard work and dedication of numerous volunteers. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we would like to thank campaign co-chairs Christine Minich, Karen Costello-Pecht, and Steve Cottillion for their enthusiasm and commitment to United Way and this year’s appeal process. In addition to this yea...

The United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. announced today that the organization has reached 90% of its $325,000 goal, with roughly $30,000 left to raise. Although the official appeal process ended December 15, the organization will continue to accept donations until January 5, 2012. “If the campaign falls short, the deficit will be equally applied to all funded agencies,” says Megan Minich, Executive Director. “We hope to not have to write that letter notifying our funded agencies of a shortfall in this critical year of need. At this time, we are counting on the generous nature of the Bradford community to step in with a last minute pledge to help us reach goal, hopefully by Christmas.” Campaign Co-Chair Karen Costello-Pecht added that “We are grateful to the loyal contributors that support United Way year after year. Even though the economy has created problems for a lot of us, we still were able to gain 75 new donors this year. I’m proud to say that I’m a part of this amazing communi...

United Way of the Bradford Area’s 2011 appeal has officially begun, with a theme of “LIVE UNITED and Lend a Helping Hand.” Chairing this year’s campaign are Steve Cottillion of Northwest Savings Bank, Chris Minich of Zippo Manufacturing Company, and Karen Costello-Pecht of Control Chief Corporation. “Going with the United Way Worldwide ‘LIVE UNITED’ theme is so timely this year as we work to show that we are all interconnected. What happens to our neighbors matters to us, and we have a stake in their success. That’s what it means to LIVE UNITED and lend a helping hand,” said Costello-Pecht. United Way officials have again set the goal at $325,000, which was not raised from the 2009 and 2010 goals. “With the current economic climate, we did not feel that this was the time to raise our goal. However, with state budget cuts to several of our partner agencies, the need to pull together as a community and surpass this goal is greater than ever” said United Way Executive Director Megan Mi...