Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The City of Bradford’s Office of Economic and Community Development (OECD) is pleased to announce the hiring of Chelsea Kahle as the Main Street Manager. Ms. Kahle is Bradford native and a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Community and Economic Development with a specialization in Historic Architecture Preservation and Restoration. Sara Andrews, OECD Executive Director, commented “The OECD is pleased to have Chelsea come on board as the new Main Street Manager. Chelsea’s education and enthusiasm for historic preservation and community development will be an asset as we continue to focus on the growth and revitalization of our historic downtown core." Chelsea will be starting in her new position on June 1, 2015 and will be working closely with the former Main Street Manager, Anita Dolan, the staff of the OECD and other partner organizations such as the Downtown Bradford Revitalization Corporation, the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce and the Do...

Denise Bean, Lynne Kuntz and Allison Ambrose cut the ribbon for the grand opening of Downtown Bradford's newest business, Santo Vida Natural Wellness Center. Besides a large assortment of natural and healthy products, they will be offering a 13-week weight loss program that covers nutrition, exercise "and all the things you need to know to make good choices and transform your life," Kuntz told WESB. A naturopathic doctor will be available three times a month on Fridays for consultation. Santo Vida will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG, PA- Downtown Bradford is one of 40 Pennsylvania downtowns that have been named “National Accredited Programs” by the National Main Street Center. Receiving National Accreditation Main Street Program status is seen as a prominent recognition. Accredited Main Street programs are evaluated annually by their coordinating program. PDC, the coordinating program of Main Street programs in Pennsylvania, is proud to see these downtowns acknowledged for their determination to meet Main Street principles. All of the 40 communities have met the ten performance standards required by NMSC. These standards include topics such as training requirements, planning methods, and community involvement. All Main Street programs involved have worked together to build an accomplished community revitalization effort through training and education. Receiving national accreditation shows that these programs are dedicated to creating a change in their community and leading as an example f...

The Main Street Cleanup day has been scheduled for Saturday, April 18 from 9 a.m. to Noon. Registration will be held at Veterans’ Square. Volunteers, either individually or in groups, are needed to help with the event which is being held to coincide with the state wide “Let’s Pick It Up, Pa” clean up days.” “This has been a long winter and there is much work to be done,” said Main Street Manager, Anita Dolan. She added that, “This event is a great opportunity for community groups to come together and help us take pride in our downtown historic district. Two groups, the Bradford Youth Hockey League and Studio B Dance Studio have already signed up, which is wonderful!” Once registered, volunteers will be assigned to groups. Gloves, trash bags and refreshments will be provided. “Whether someone can be here for the whole time, or just an hour, their help will really be appreciated,” added Dolan. Clean up activities scheduled throughout the day include hosing down Main Street side...

As part of their ongoing downtown improvement efforts, the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce and the Main Street Program are working on the next phase of rehabilitating Veteran’s Square, with plans to purchase and install eight steel eight-foot park benches. The benches are being made my Swanson’s Fabrication of Bradford, a local company specializing in structural steel and aluminum, including custom design and engineering. “It was important to us to use a local manufacturer for this project,” said Anita Dolan, Main Street Manager, “and Swanson’s Fabrication has an excellent reputation for working with their customers to achieve high quality, professional results.” Each bench will have a bronze plaque signifying who donated the bench. Wright Monumental Works, also of Bradford, will be creating the plaques. “This is a hometown effort with the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce and Main Street program working together with local companies to achieve a positive visual impact in...

Change to Parade Route Announced Area businesses, non-profit organizations, school bands, classic car owners, dance teams, and fire departments are asked to please submit their registration forms for Bradford’s annual Cruisin’ into Christmas Parade as soon as possible, but no later than the November 14th deadline. Forms may be picked up at and returned to the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce office located at 121 Main Street Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm, or will be emailed by request to those interested in participating. The Street Dreams Car Club, Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce and signature sponsor CNB Bank are moving forward with plans to improve the Sixth Annual Cruisin’ into Christmas parade, which will be held on Friday, November 21st at 6 pm on Historic Main Street in downtown Bradford. One significant change to this year’s parade is the reversal of the parade route – instead of lining up in the high-traffic area around Davis and Main Street, participants will r...

The Street Dreams Car Club, Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce and our signature sponsor CNB Bank are proud to announce plans for the Sixth Annual Cruisin’ into Christmas parade on Friday, November 21st at 6 pm on Historic Main Street in downtown Bradford. Cash prizes will be awarded for six different divisions: best holiday music arrangement by a school band, best holiday float by a business, best holiday float by a non-profit organization, best decorated classic car, best holiday arrangement by a dance team, and best decorated fire truck. In each category, prizes will be $250 for 1st place and $100 for 2nd place. Applications can be picked up at the Chamber office at 121 Main Street, Bradford Monday through Friday from 10am until 4 pm. Registration will close on November 15th. If you have any questions, contact Gary Hoy, President of the Street Dreams Car Club or Ron Orris, Executive Director of the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce. The news leader of the Twin Tier...

Harrisburg–Governor Tom Corbett today announced that the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) recently awarded $450,000 in Keystone Communities grants to support public improvements efforts for downtown redevelopment projects and infrastructure reconstruction in the City of Bradford. “We are continuing to invest in our local communities by supporting public improvement initiatives,” Gov. Corbett said. “These projects will bring new life and preserve the historic treasures within the Bradford community, in addition to providing opportunities for renewed economic growth.” The Keystone Communities program will provide funding for two public improvement grants for the City of Bradford. The Keystone Communities grant award for $400,000 will provide funding to undertake the construction of new housing units and make façade and streetscape improvements in the Elm Street neighborhood, a Second Ward Keystone Community Designated area. Specific project activities incl...

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford hospitality management program will mark World Tourism Day Sept. 27 with a service project in downtown Bradford that will also promote the downtown area as a place for students to spend time. In keeping with this year’s World Tourism Day theme, “Tourism and Community Development,” volunteers from Pitt-Bradford will perform general clean-up and projects requested by business owners from 10 a.m. until noon in the area of Main Street downtown. From noon to 3 p.m., a Main Street Fair will be held for all students to see what is available in Bradford and specifically, what student specials are available for them. The hospitality management program is working with the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Bradford Business District Authority to encourage businesses to set up sidewalk sales and promotions for students. Businesses not on Main Street downtown can set up on Veterans Square, where inform...

The gazebo in Veterans Square was re-dedicated this afternoon after being repainted and refurbished to look more like the original gazebo that was in the town square more than 135 years ago. Chamber of Commerce Director Ron Orris spearheaded the project, and Mayor Tom Riel congratulated Orris on yet another job well done. He added that a lot of people could learn from Orris, a shining example of someone who is dedicated to Bradford. In his remarks, Orris said he wanted to make sure the gazebo was finished for the upcoming Kinzua Walleye Weekend. Later, he decided the days prior to the Fourth of July would be fitting to re-dedicate a structure in a park dedicated to veterans. After the brief ceremony Orris told WESB that the red-white-and-blue bunting on the gazebo was hand-stitched by workers at Quinn Flags in Hanover, Pa. Pictured, Main Street Manager Anita Dolan, Ron Orris, Tom Riel WESB photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Bradford’s Downtown Historic District tells a story worth preserving. While the oil industry is the basis of Bradford’s history, the story told by the buildings downtown goes further than that, according to Erin Hammerstedt of Preservation Pennsylvania. “We can see different phases of development from the early settlement patterns in the lumber phase to the boom phase and, really, what most of your buildings reflect are the post oil boom stabilization,” she said during a presentation Monday evening in Bradford. “People had the money in their pockets, they were feeling good, they were going to stay awhile. …. their other buildings burned down,” she said, referring to the history of fires in Downtown Bradford. “They were ready to make their mark and build something that had their name on it.” Hammerstedt said she wasn’t sure if people were aware of how much work has been done in the Historic District in the last few years. “In the last five years at least 10 buildings have been ...

A public meeting to discuss the recently conducted survey to update the inventory of historic properties in the National Register list of the city’s historic district buildings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in Council Chambers of City Hall. Business and building owners within downtown Bradford’s historic district are encouraged to attend. Staff from Preservation Pennsylvania, who surveyed the inventory of buildings within the historic district, will present a slide show that demonstrates how the story of Bradford is reflected in the built environment. The meeting will be an opportunity to learn about the Bradford community and share any concerns that you may have related to buildings or properties within the historic district or regarding historic properties within the City of Bradford. Additionally, on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Erin Hammerstedt from Preservation Pennsylvania will be available by appointment (at no cost) to meet with individual business and build...

The 13th annual Bradford Area Town Wide Garage Sale will be held on Saturday, May 31, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Bradford area. Registration forms are available at the Tin Ceiling Gift Shoppe, 51 Main Street, Bradford, and the Main Street Outlet, 90 Main Street, Bradford. Individuals or organizations can register. There is a fee to participate. The deadline to register is Wednesday, May 14. Participants will receive a yard sale sign and their location will be included in the Bradford Area Town Wide Garage Sale map which will be distributed the week prior to the event. All registrants will be responsible for their own set up at their location, as well as the placement and removal of yard signs. The event is sponsored by the Downtown Bradford Business District Authority. For more information contact the Main Street Manager’s office. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

New dates have been set for Bradford's Annual Pumpkin Fest. The Festival will be held on Sunday, October 14, 2012, from noon to 4pm. Lots of rides, vendors, live music, food, and shows will be setup along Main Street from Tops to the Square. Everyone should be mark their calendars for this family oriented festival, and keep growing their pumpkins so they can enter them in the "Big Pumpkin Contest." Also, start thinking about ideas for the "Scarecrow Decorating Contest," as participants can choose to have their scarecrows displayed along Main Street for the Halloween Season. Pumpkin Fest Committee Members: Kelly Platko of Roseart, Kim Graham and Fred Graham of Graham's Greenhouse and Landscaping, Kim Hallock of Main Street Outlet and DBBDA Member, and Christy Graham of Northwest Savings Bank are looking forward to making this Pumpkin Fest a memorable one. All Main Street Businesses are encouraged to participate with their own booths or side walk sales. This i...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Main Street businesses should look as if they want to be part of Main Street. OECD Executive Director Sara Andrews said that’s the attitude she and Main Street Manager Colette Roessler are going to try to encourage business owners to have. Andrews and Roessler talked about the downtown business district prior to Tuesday’s Bradford City Council meeting when they discussed applying for a Keystone Communities Main Street Façade Grant. If they get the $50,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development, they would continue the façade improvement program, which has already led to $600,000 worth of improvements downtown. More than half of that came from private investments by property owners. During the council meeting, members authorized the filing of the grant application. As for the new attitude on Main Street Andrews said, “If you want to be on Main Street, let’s have some pride and look like you want to be on Main Street...

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 ...

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

Bradford Little Theatre is opening new office and rehearsal space at 79 Main St. starting Saturday. “We are excited to be moving into a bigger space that will not only house our offices, but meet our need for rehearsal, tryout and construction space,” said BLT president Nanci K. Garris. “Our new space offers first-floor access and a dynamic downtown presence,” said Garris. “It should eliminate the need to rent rehearsal and tryout space as we have in the past. Also, we should be able to do basic set and prop construction in the rear – an option we have never had before.” “The board examined this move carefully to ensure financial feasibility, and believe that the site will not cost our non-profit organization any more than is currently spent for rehearsal and meeting space.” “We are excited about the possibility of using the space to be part of downtown activities as well,” she said, noting the two large display windows in the front of the site. Currently, the BLT office is on the thir...

The Main Street Mercantile is set to open today at its new location at 45 Main Street in downtown Bradford, and Santa Claus will visit the store following the Cruisin' Into Christmas parade on Friday. The Mercantile was recently acquired by local developer, Todd Hennard, and is operated as a small business incubator program. Incubator programs help businesses grow and develop without business owners taking on the full responsibility of a small business operation. The Mercantile currently houses more that 60 individual businesses that offer such items as antiques, artwork, photography, home décor, primitive décor, old fashioned candy, jewelry, floral arrangements and candles. Additionally a book store is set to be opened soon on the second floor of the building. As part of the Cruisin’ Into Christmas parade on Friday, November 18, Santa Claus will make a special visit to the Mercantile, which will be open until 7 p.m. The Mercantile began more than six years ago. It was initiated ...

The Bradford Main Street program has been designated an accredited National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center. Each year, the National Trust and its coordinating program partners announce the list of accredited Main Street programs that have built strong revitalization organizations that have demonstrated their ability to follow the Main Street methodology. “We congratulate this year’s nationally accredited Main Street programs for meeting our established performance standards,” says Doug Loescher, director of the National Trust Main Street Center, “Accredited Main Street programs are meeting the challenges of the recession head on and are successfully using a focused, comprehensive, revitalization strategy to keep their communities vibrant and sustainable.” The organization’s performance is annually evaluated by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center in Harrisburg, which works in partners...