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 ...

These two young guys anxiously await the arrival of Santa Claus during Friday's 4th annual Cruisin' into Christmas parade on Main Street, as Santa's Helper Richard Obermyer hands out candy. Even before Santa's arrival, one of the boys turned to his grandfather and said, "Thanks for bringing me. This is great!" The parade is held a week before the traditional start of the holiday shopping season to bring people downtown to see what local merchants have to offer. This man got the best seat in the house -- Santa's chair -- at the Main Street Mercantile during the parade. And how did he manage to get the job of keeping the Jolly Old Elf's seat warm until he got to the Mercantile. Easy. He's the father of Mercantile owner Todd Hennard. (And that's Todd's Mom, too.) Santa's Mailbox is also at the Mercantile so kids can drop their letters off for Santa to read on 1490 WESB. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director It’s time for the taxpaying citizens to start having some control of our city again. Steve Cavallaro made that statement to Bradford City Council on behalf of himself and several other downtown business owners who are fed up with loitering, bad language, bicycle and skateboard riding on sidewalks, and other types of bad behavior. Cavallaro of Cavallaro Paint and Decorating; Kathy Obermeyer of Real Living Avista Properties; Todd Hennard, owner of the Main Street Mercantile and other buildings; and Nancy Graham, owner of The Tin Ceiling Gift Shoppe, presented council with a proposal that they hope would transfer control back to the business owners and their customers. “We don’t even feel like we have any control over what’s going on downtown, yet we’re the ones paying the lion’s share …” he said, adding that they would like to see more police foot patrols, and enforce the ordinances that are already in the books. “It’s getting ridiculous with kids...

Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ron Orris reads about one of the door prizes given away during Wednesday's Business After Hours at the Main Street Mercantile, as owner Todd Hennard looks on. The Chamber's Kara Kennedy holds a basket full of business cards as Becki Ivancic picks the next winner. A record crowd of more than 125 people attended the event. The previous record was 120 at Glendorn. Next month's Business After Hours will be held at Shawn Murray Photography.

Where will Santa be headed when he leaves WESB Friday after doing his Santa's Mailbag show? NORAD is once again tracking him for us. http://www.noradsanta.org/en/ You can also track Santa on Facebook, Twitter and on your cell phone by going to that website. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Questions about the sale of the Main Street Mercantile were raised during Tuesday’s Bradford City Council meeting. Calvin Court resident Patricia Demjan posed the questions. The Downtown Bradford Revitalization Corporation owned and operated the mercantile, but recently sold it to local businessman Todd Hennard. OECD Executive Director Sara Andrews, who is also treasurer of the non-profit DBRC, said Hennard approached them about the mercantile when he bought the building at 45 Main Street. “We felt it was time that the business be moved into the private sector,” Andrews said. “I think it will continue to grow and be an economic driver in our downtown community.” “It looks really nice,” Demjan said, then asked about the sale price. Andrews said the money the DBRC received went toward paying the old landlord and other expenses. The rest of the money will go toward promoting downtown activities. Demjan also asked why the it wasn’t put out to bid. A...

The new book by Sally Ryan Costik, "Bootleggers Bullets and Blood," is an entertaining look at the gangsters in Bradford during Prohibition, detailing the murders, bootleggers, raids by Dry Agents, and more. It includes a list of those arrested for bootlegging in Bradford - maybe your grandparents were bootleggers! The book is for sale at the Main Street Mercantile (45 Main Street), and at the Bradford Landmark Society at 45 E. Corydon Street. Sally was my guest on today's LiveLine on 1490 WESB. If you missed it, don't fret. You can listen here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Main Street Mercantile and 100.1 The Hero want to help with your last minute shopping. Stop in from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Mercantile on 45 Main Street and choose from a huge variety of gifts -- including alpaca merchandise and clothing, country decor, art, jewelry, candles and so much more. The Rock & Shop also includes free gift wrapping, snacks and refreshments. The Main Street Mercantile also makes gift baskets to order and has a gift registry. And, 100.1 The Hero will be broadcasting live from the Mercantile that evening. Rock & Shop at the Main Street Mercantile! The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Here's the schedule of events for Bradford's Old Fashioned Christmas on Saturday Breakfast with Santa 9AM – 10:30 AM Aud Restaurant 30 Boylston Street Josiah and Tina Herne will be serving breakfast with Santa at The Aud Restaurant. One child per paying adult will eat free from a special Santa Menu. Horse-drawn Carriage Rides 11AM – 3PM Main Street Mercantile Board at the Merchantile, and let Prince & Otis take you on a tour of Historic Mainstreet before returning to the mercantile for Holiday shopping & festivities. Sponsored by Real living AVISTA & Hennard Construction. Letters to Santa Hey Kids! Drop your letters to Santa at his special mailbox at The Mercantile. Letters will be accepted throughout December. Happy Holiday Open House Friday 10AM – 7PM, Sat. 9AM – 5PM Grandma’s Tea House 16 Congress Street Stop in and have freshly brewed tea while you shop the unique items available in this historic shop. Blou Christmas Item Collection 9AM – 2PM Cavallaro Paint ...

Dane Anderson of Kane was the first person in line to see Santa Claus at the Main Street Mercantile (45 Main Street) Friday night. Dane gave Santa a big hug before heading back to Kane. These guys were second and third in a long, long line. If you didn't get a chance to see Santa Friday, you can drop off your letters to him at the Main Street Mercantile and he'll read them on 1490 WESB! And, personally, I'm thrilled that Santa remembered my name because I'm on the Nice List!

Characters from Beacon Light's Santa House were part of the 3rd Annual Cruisin' into Christmas Parade Friday in Downtown Bradford. Felicia Lively Munday sing's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" on the Burgers & Barbecue float. This little beagle from the McKean County SPCA is all decked out for the holidays -- and could use a good home. The Pitt-Bradford cheerleaders are full of all kinds of holiday spirit. Street Dreams Car Club President Gary Hoy, and his lovely wife Candy, tossed out candy to the kids ... ...as did our own Stefan Arlington

The Cruisin’ into Christmas Parade starts at 5:30 tonight in Downtown Bradford – and Santa will be making his first appearance of the season during the parade. After the parade Santa himself will be setting up the mailbox where kids can drop off their letters to him to be read on WESB’s Santa’s Mailbag show. Santa will be setting up inside the Main Street Mercantile at its new location – 45 Main Street.