Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

There is an end in sight to the boil water advisory that’s been in effect since February 23, the day a 24-inch water main broke on Campus Drive. The state Department of Environmental Protection says the Bradford City Water Authority can start testing the water today. They will repeat it tomorrow, and then send them to DEP. After that, we wait for DEP to give the go-head to lift the boil water advisory. Water Authority Board Chairman Ron Orris tells us that could possibly be by the end of this week.

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...

The improvements to Downtown Bradford keep on coming, and plans are in the works to step up the fight against blight in residential areas as well. City Council on Tuesday authorized loans to Rookies to building a deck and pave two parking lots; Shelley Wright to fix the roof on 80-82 Main Street (Wright’s Music Shed); and The Aud to buy the Boylston Street building the restaurant currently occupies. Even City Hall is getting a face lift. Council approved a payment to Shembeda Floor Covering to install carpeting on the front steps of the building and Room 103. They also awarded a bid to Hennard Construction for renovations to the third floor, including city council chambers. While the focus in recent months has been the revitalization and restoration Fifth Ward resident Pat Girard told council she believes the city is ignoring neighborhoods. She said she thinks code enforcement should be working to make sure the outsides of properties are maintained better, and that landlords are li...

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

Moments to Remember, CARE for Children and Jeannine Schoenecker were recognized during Thursday's annual Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting. Moments to Remember received the Exemplary Business Award, CARE for Children received the Community & Spirit Award. Schoenecker received the Director's Award and talked about the importance of paying it forward. Pictured, from left, BACC Executive Director Ron Orris, Chamber President Ann Robinson, Moments to Remember owner Laurie Pritz Lindstrom, American Refining Group President Jeannine Schoenecker, CARE for Children Executive Director Tina Martin and Chamber First Vice President Tim Asinger. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City taxpayers will not see a tax increase, according to the 2014 budget unveiled by Bradford City Council Tuesday night. Councilman Jim Evans, who oversees accounts and finances, thanked all city employees, especially City Clerk John Peterson, Deputy City Clerk Teri Cannon, Chief Financial Officer Mike Shanks and all the department heads for their work on this budget, and for keeping costs in line for 2013. Specifically, he thanked them for “continuing to live within our budget, looking for new sources of revenue, making sure we leave no stone unturned” in terms of spending and looking for new revenue sources, and watching spending. Evans said the city is “in a very enviable position,” noting that while the city is not “flush with money” it is “running in a very sound manner financially.” After Evans read his letter to the city that declared no property tax increase, Mayor Tom Riel said, “... in the next couple of weeks, as numbers continue to come in, maybe we can lower them a li...

The Street Dreams Car Club and the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce are proud to announce plans for the fifth annual Cruisin' into Christmas Parade on November 22 at 6 pm on Main Street. They will also be lighting the new lights on Main Street and Veterans Square. This year they will be offering cash prizes for different divisions: ~~ Best holiday music arrangement by a school band will receive $500 ~~ Best holiday float by a business will receive $250 ~~ Best decorated fire truck (one from each department) $300 ~~ Best holiday float by a non-profit organization will receive $500 ~~ Best decorated Classic Car will receive $250.00 ~~ Best holiday arrangement by a dance team will receive $250 Applications can be picked up at the Chamber office at 121 Main Street , Bradford, any weekday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration will close on November 15. If you have any questions contact Gary Hoy, President of the Street Dreams Car Club or Ron Orris, Executive Director of...

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...

Futures Rehabilitation Center, Inc. held its annual meeting at the Center on Dec. 11 during which time board members reviewed the Agency’s 2011/2012 fiscal year operations. During the meeting, several board members were reappointed to serve three-year terms beginning January 2013. Those included, Sara Andrews, Susan Evans, Nancy Leonard, Katharine Pude and George Duke. Officers for the coming year are: Ron Orris, chairman; Richard Johnson, vice chairman; Marcia Avey, treasurer; Ross Neidich, secretary and Robert Esch, past chairman. Management team members gave a power point presentation to the board on their service areas. President and CEO William Leven provided an overview of the Agency along with program and fiscal results for the last fiscal year. The agency’s annual report, detailing program and financial results of the fiscal year was distributed to the board of directors. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

6V Sales and Service prepares for their Grand Opening celebration on Saturday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday morning. Pictured left to right are Fran Bottone, John and Kate Vinelli, owners, and Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ron Orris. The Grand Opening celebration is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 170 Seaward Avenue and includes food and refreshments, a raffle for a set of passenger tires, giveways and music. You can also meet with 6V's factory reps and sponsors. WESB photo

heavy metal thunder ..." Only the heavy metal variety of thunder and lightning was in Downtown Bradford Friday for the Inaugural CARE for Children Motorcycle Show ... and the few sprinkles of rain didn't dampen anyone's spirits. Frank Williams talks with Bruce Chandler of Red Dragon Racing during 100.1 The Hero's live broadcast from the show. Co-chair of the event Lisa Duke is sitting pretty on this pink and black Harley. Frank Williams and Kim Benjamin; Jack Armstrong, Don Fredeen, Jimmy Copeland; CARE for Children's Kim Murphey and Tina Martin Event co-chair Steve Cavallaro chats with Dorie Meabon, who was selling tickets for a chance to win the Kids and Cancer Harley of Hope. The winner of the Harley will be announced Saturday night during the block party on Mechanic Street following the Kids and Cancer Motorcycle Run. You can hear more about Kids and Cancer here: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/24123327 and read more here: http://kidsandcancerbenefitrun.com/ T...

Barbara Abbey was one of the many lovely ladies who got into the Derby spirit by donning a hat during Saturday's Derby Gala at the Pennhills Club. Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ron Orris took bids by phone on a Zippo lighter package made especially for the Derby Gala. Ron's phone friend, from Pueblo, Colorado, won the set for $3,500. Ryan Race deals cards to Fran Runyon (green hat) and Emily Zinsner during the Casino Night part of the Derby Gala as Bill Runyon looks over his wife's shoulder. Kristin Asinger and Candy Graham take part in the annual hat parade. Asinger won a prize for most creative hat. Hat parade judge Zach Ruth calls one of the finalists over so people can get another look at her hat. 160 people attended the event, which raises money for the Bradford Area Public Library's Endowment Fund. This is the biggest crowd that's ever attended. The event also included an auction of a variety of items including a package from Janet's...

Habitat for Humanity-McKean will host the first Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Coffee and Conversation event from 7:00 to 9:00 am on Tuesday, April 24th. The Coffee and Conversation event will be held at the Habitat for Humanity house site, 47 Interstate Parkway, Bradford, PA. Coffee and Conversation is designed to be a morning alternative to the Chamber’s popular Business After Hours series. Like Business After Hours, Coffee and Conversation will give the business and professional community an opportunity to come together in a relaxed, social setting for networking. “Business After Hours draws a great crowd, but evening events don’t fit everyone’s schedule,” said BACC Executive Director, Ron Orris. “We’d like to offer the same great relaxed networking opportunities at a variety of times to accommodate even more members of the local business community. We’re hoping that many of our regular Business After Hours participants as well as some new faces will be able to join us on the 2...

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 ...

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.

Scarnati Re-Elected President Pro Tem Rhett Kennedy was sworn in as the newest member of Bradford City Council this morning. Tom Riel was also sworn in for his second term as mayor. Karen Hector was sworn in for her second term as city treasurer. The Board of Health also had a brief meeting, electing Kennedy president of the board. Kennedy will oversee public safety (fire and police) and code enforcement for the city. He replaces Ross Neidich, who did not run for re-election. And in Harrisburg, Joe Scarnati has been re-elected by his colleagues as Senate President Pro Tempore. Pictured, City Clerk John Peterson (far right) administers the oath of office to Hector, Kennedy and Riel (standing) as city solicitor Mark Hollenbeck and councilman Rick Benton and Jim Evans look on . Photo by Ron Orris 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...

"Still Life" author Louise Penny thanks Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ron Orris for the Zippo lighter he presented her with following her talk "Three Pines and Beyond" Tuesday night. Penny's visit to Bradford was the culmination of this year's One Book Bradford events.